Chikungunya outbreak in Pune

Why in the news?

• According to scientists at the National Institute of Virology, the Chikungunya outbreak in Pune and its surrounding areas is caused by a virus originating from the Indian Ocean.
• Till now around 3,000 cases of this virus have been reported in Pune.
• The Indian Ocean strain of Chikungunya was first reported in the islands in the Indian Ocean in the year 2006.
• The worst affected Reunion Island at that time recorded 45,000 cases of Chikungunya within a week.

Chikungunya:

• Chikungunya fever is a disease caused by a mosquito-borne virus.
• It is caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
• Its name means "making you bend" or "walking bent" as the infection causes severe joint and muscle pain.
• Symptoms of chikungunya often appear within 2 to 7 days of an infected mosquito bite.
• After an infected mosquito bite, the onset of illness is usually 4 to 8 days later (but can range from 2 to 12 days).
• Symptoms -
  • High fever
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Myalgia
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting