(United States, 23rd) World Health Organization (WHO) experts have issued a warning about the mosquito-borne disease Chikungunya fever, urging countries to be prepared and to prevent large-scale outbreaks.
Xinhua reports that Alvarez, head of the WHO Arbovirus Team, said at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday (July 22) that Chikungunya virus transmission has been detected in 119 countries and regions, putting about 5.5 million people at risk of this mosquito-borne virus. There is also potential for widespread outbreaks that could put pressure on health systems.
Alvarez explained that around 20 years ago, a large-scale outbreak of Chikungunya fever occurred in the Indian Ocean region, affecting about 500,000 people. Most infected individuals experienced acute symptoms such as high fever, joint pain, and fatigue, and deaths were extremely rare.
She stated that, so far this year, approximately one-third of the population on France’s Indian Ocean territory Réunion Island is estimated to have been infected with the Chikungunya virus. Transmission has also been observed in India, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries. Additionally, France, Italy, and some other European countries have recently reported imported cases, and local transmission has also been detected.
Alvarez said that mosquitoes carrying the Chikungunya virus are present in most tropical countries. The WHO is currently supporting member states in developing laboratory diagnostic methods, training personnel, strengthening healthcare systems, and expanding surveillance to track and control Chikungunya fever outbreaks.
Xinhua reports that Alvarez, head of the WHO Arbovirus Team, said at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday (July 22) that Chikungunya virus transmission has been detected in 119 countries and regions, putting about 5.5 million people at risk of this mosquito-borne virus. There is also potential for widespread outbreaks that could put pressure on health systems.
Alvarez explained that around 20 years ago, a large-scale outbreak of Chikungunya fever occurred in the Indian Ocean region, affecting about 500,000 people. Most infected individuals experienced acute symptoms such as high fever, joint pain, and fatigue, and deaths were extremely rare.
She stated that, so far this year, approximately one-third of the population on France’s Indian Ocean territory Réunion Island is estimated to have been infected with the Chikungunya virus. Transmission has also been observed in India, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries. Additionally, France, Italy, and some other European countries have recently reported imported cases, and local transmission has also been detected.
Alvarez said that mosquitoes carrying the Chikungunya virus are present in most tropical countries. The WHO is currently supporting member states in developing laboratory diagnostic methods, training personnel, strengthening healthcare systems, and expanding surveillance to track and control Chikungunya fever outbreaks.