Autor(es): Chhabra M, Mittal V, Bhattacharya D, Rana Uvs, Lal S

Resumo: Chikungunya (CHIK) fever is a re-emerging viral disease characterized by abrupt onset of fever with severe arthralgia followed by constitutional symptoms - rash lasting for 1-7 days. The disease is almost self-limiting - rarely fatal. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Molecular characterization has demonstrated two distinct lineages of strains which cause epidemics in Africa - Asia. These geographical genotypes exhibit differences in the transmission cycles. In contrast to Africa where sylvatic cycle is maintained between monkeys - wild mosquitoes, in Asia the cycle continues between humans - the Aedes aegypti mosquito. CHIKV is known to cause epidemics after a period of quiescence. The first recorded epidemic occurred in Tanzania in 1952-1953. In Asia, CHIK activity was documented since its isolation in Bangkok, Thail- in 1958. Virus transmission continued till 1964. After hiatus, the virus activity re-appeared in the mid-1970s - declined by 1976. In India, well-documented outbreaks occurred in 1963 - 1964 in Kolkata - southern India, respectively. Thereafter, a small outbreak of CHIK was reported from Sholapur district, Maharashtra in 1973. CHIKV emerged in the isl-s of South West Indian Ocean viz. French isl- of La Reunion, Mayotee, Mauritius - Seychelles which are reporting the outbreak since February, 2005. After quiescence of about three decades, CHIKV re-emerged in India in the states of -hra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh - Tamil Nadu since December, 2005. Cases have also been reported from Rajasthan, Gujarat - Kerala. The outbreak is still continuing. National Institute of Communicable Diseases has conducted epidemiological, entomological - laboratory investigations for confirmation of the outbreak. These have been discussed in detail along with the major challenges that the country faced during the current outbreak.

Palavras-Chave: Alphaviruses; Chikungunya; Chikungunya virus; Re-emerging infections

Imprenta: Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, v. 26, n. 1, p. 5-12, 2008

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.4103/0255-0857.38850

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - RNA ; Chikungunya virus - Infectious diseases ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Molecular screening ; Chikungunya virus - Transmission ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemic ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de publicação: 2008

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