Prevention of Chikungunya

Letter May 24, 2017
Proper preventive measures should be taken by everyone

LAHORE: Earlier this month, a five-member delegation of the WHO visited Karachi at the request of Sindh’s Health Department. The delegation gathered all information pertaining to the disease Chikungunya and formed a policy for its prevention.

Sindh’s provincial capital, Karachi, has been witnessing an increase in the number of people falling victim to the debilitating disease. It is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The disease has now reached other cities in Sindh, such as Thatta and Mirpurkhas.

In their findings the WHO delegation was appalled by the dilapidated condition of health and sanitation. They were also astonished upon learning that doctors were unaware of the symptoms of the disease and had no clue about the poor condition of sanitation in their hospitals.

The mosquitoes mostly attack during the day and breed around clean water. Chikungunya means ‘to distort’, directly relating to the stooped appearance of the patient due to extreme pain in and around the joints during the onset of the disease.

The virus is characterised by an abrupt onset of fever, frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, and lasts for a few days or, in some cases, may be prolonged for weeks. Most people recover fully, with symptoms resolving in seven to 10 days.

There is no specific vaccine or antiviral drugs for this infection and the treatment is primarily symptomatic. The symptoms are often difficult to differentiate from dengue. Hence, it is important not to take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin, till dengue is ruled out, as these medicines can cause platelets to fall.

Proper preventive measures should be taken by everyone, such as avoiding water storage in open containers, using mosquito netting and repellents, wearing protective clothing, keeping the surrounding area free from standing water and avoiding much exposure during day time.

Dr Zeeshan Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2017.

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