What is the Chikungunya Virus?
The Chikungunya Virus, also known as Chikungunya fever, is a human viral disease easily transmitted from one bite from an infected Culex or Aedes mosquito of many species. If you have become infected with the Chikungunya virus, you will noticed several symptoms some of which might include:
Rash
Pain in the Lower Back
Joint Pain (with or without the presence of swelling)
Vomiting
Nausea
Headaches
Chills
Fevers
In fact, Chikungunya fever has very similar symptoms as that of dengue. However, as a viral disease it cannot be transmitted from human to human and is relatively non-fatal. At the present time, the Chikungunya virus outbreak is limited to areas of India and Indian Ocean Islands.
The FDA has not approved any preventive vaccinations for Chikungunya virus, therefore, you must take necessary precautions in order to reduce your risks of contracting the virus. Here are some tips to help you out:
If you must go out in the daytime, make sure any exposed skin is protected, by using an insect repellent. The recommended repellents contain thirty to fifty percent DEET. If you must get a lower concentration, keep in mind that these are only good for shorter periods of protection and you will need to frequently reapply the repellant to your skin. If you are traveling from the United States to these areas, you should know that you would not be able to find concentrations of higher than fifteen percent; therefore, you might be better off purchasing the repellent from a different region.
When you venture outdoors, be sure to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts. This is one of the best methods of prevention you can take. You can also further protect yourself by spraying clothing with any insect repellent containing some form of an EPA registered ingredient such as permethrin.
If at all possible, find hotels that are air conditioned or have screens intact on the windows. You want to make sure that the screens have no holes or tears, and attempt to keep the area free of mosquitoes.
Breeding sites must be reduced at all costs. If you notice any stagnate water such as that in cisterns, vases, or barrels, overturn the container or place a cover on the opening. This will help in eliminating the possibility of mosquitoes in the area.
If you do become infected, stay indoors or underneath a net to prevent further bites of mosquitoes and avoid the possibility of the infection spreading.
By implementing these measures into your daily travels to the infected areas, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting the Chikungunya virus.
The Chikungunya Virus, also known as Chikungunya fever, is a human viral disease easily transmitted from one bite from an infected Culex or Aedes mosquito of many species. If you have become infected with the Chikungunya virus, you will noticed several symptoms some of which might include:
Rash
Pain in the Lower Back
Joint Pain (with or without the presence of swelling)
Vomiting
Nausea
Headaches
Chills
Fevers
In fact, Chikungunya fever has very similar symptoms as that of dengue. However, as a viral disease it cannot be transmitted from human to human and is relatively non-fatal. At the present time, the Chikungunya virus outbreak is limited to areas of India and Indian Ocean Islands.
The FDA has not approved any preventive vaccinations for Chikungunya virus, therefore, you must take necessary precautions in order to reduce your risks of contracting the virus. Here are some tips to help you out:
If you must go out in the daytime, make sure any exposed skin is protected, by using an insect repellent. The recommended repellents contain thirty to fifty percent DEET. If you must get a lower concentration, keep in mind that these are only good for shorter periods of protection and you will need to frequently reapply the repellant to your skin. If you are traveling from the United States to these areas, you should know that you would not be able to find concentrations of higher than fifteen percent; therefore, you might be better off purchasing the repellent from a different region.
When you venture outdoors, be sure to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts. This is one of the best methods of prevention you can take. You can also further protect yourself by spraying clothing with any insect repellent containing some form of an EPA registered ingredient such as permethrin.
If at all possible, find hotels that are air conditioned or have screens intact on the windows. You want to make sure that the screens have no holes or tears, and attempt to keep the area free of mosquitoes.
Breeding sites must be reduced at all costs. If you notice any stagnate water such as that in cisterns, vases, or barrels, overturn the container or place a cover on the opening. This will help in eliminating the possibility of mosquitoes in the area.
If you do become infected, stay indoors or underneath a net to prevent further bites of mosquitoes and avoid the possibility of the infection spreading.
By implementing these measures into your daily travels to the infected areas, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting the Chikungunya virus.
Source...