By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Ethiopia, health ministry officials now report the mosquito-borne disease outbreak has reached 20,000 cases.
The Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI) said although Ethiopia has conducted an extensive anti-Chikungunya spray campaign in the disease’s epicenter, the eastern city of Dire Dawa, there was still a spike in the number of Chikungunya sufferers.
In addition to chikungunya, Ethiopia is also battling outbreaks of cholera, measles, and poliovirus.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.
The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue and Zika, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where they are common. As there is no cure, treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
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