Chikungunya

In Kimakonde, a language spoken in Tanzania and Mozambique, ‘Chikungunya’ means ‘to become contorted’ (bent out of normal shape), which may result from severe joint pain.²

When you’re bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus. These mosquitoes may also be carrying other viruses, such as dengue fever.²

Cases and outbreaks have been reported in over a hundred countries in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.^1,3

In those without significant joint pain, symptoms are usually mild and the infection may not be obvious.²

If symptoms do occur, this is usually between 4 and 8 days after being bitten but can be between 2 and 12 days, therefore you may start to feel ill when you are back home after your trip.² These can include sudden onset of fever, pain in the joints and muscles, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain can be debilitating.²

Serious cases are not common and most people make a full recovery. However, pain in the joints can last for months or even years, and while symptoms can be treated, there is no known cure for the infection.²

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus), IR3535 or 2-undecanone⁴
• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g., loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimise exposed skin^5,6
• Use insecticide-treated mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in accommodation that is not air-conditioned or sleeping outdoors during the day or night⁵