By NewsDesk @bactiman63
Fourteen people, 13 students and one teacher, from the School of the Arts (SOTA) in Singapore contracted the mosquito-borne viral infection, chikungunya, while in Thailand, according to a Straits Times report.
They were on an overseas service learning trip to Thailand’s Ratchaburi province.
After being treated at the provincial hospital, some students were transferred to a Bangkok hospital where the diagnosis of chikungunya was made.
Thailand has seen an increase in chikungunya in 2019 with the Bureau of Epidemiology reporting 3379 chikungunya cases in 23 provinces through May 13.
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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