Autor(es): Azevedo Raimunda do Socorro da Silva, Oliveira Consuelo Silva, Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando da Costa

Resumo: This study aimed to show, based on the literature on the subject, the potential for dispersal - establishment of the chikungunya virus in Brazil. The chikungunya virus, a Togaviridae member of the genusAlphavirus, reached the Americas in 2013 -, the following year, more than a million cases were reported. In Brazil, indigenous transmission was registered in Amapa - Bahia States, even during the period of low rainfall, exposing the whole country to the risk of virus spreading. Brazil is historically infested by Ae. aegypti - Ae. albopictus, also dengue vectors. Chikungunya may spread, - it is important to take measures to prevent the virus from becoming endemic in the country. Adequate care for patients with chikungunya fever requires training general practitioners, rheumatologists, nurses, - experts in laboratory diagnosis. Up to November 2014, more than 1,000 cases of the virus were reported in Brazil. There is a need for experimental studies in animal models to underst- the dynamics of infection - the pathogenesis as well as to identify pathophysiological mechanisms that may contribute to identifying effective drugs against the virus. Clinical trials are needed to identify the causal relationship between the virus - serious injuries observed in different organs - joints. In the absence of vaccines or effective drugs against the virus, currently the only way to prevent the disease is vector control, which will also reduce the number of cases of dengue fever.

Palavras-Chave: Chikungunya Virus; Alphavirus Infections; Epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks; Risk Factors; Epidemiological Surveillance

Imprenta: Revista de Sau?de Pu?blica, v. 49, p. 58, 2015

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049006219

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Transmission ; Chikungunya virus - Vaccine ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Dengue

Data de publicação: 2015