Chikungunya epidemic: global and Indian scenario

Chikungunya is a disease of zoonotic importance affecting man with non-human primates as a main reservoir. Recently the world has seen its outbreaks in Asia and Africa affecting large population. The disease has re-emerged after 2 long decades. Other part of the world reported it as a disease which is introduced through travelers. The known vectors of Chikungunya are Aedes mosquitoes, notably Aedes aegypti and A. albopiticus. Although, the people of rural areas are among more risk groups, the disease spread very rapidly among urban population. The disease shows epidemic pattern with severe arthralgia and usually without any mortality but in the recent outbreak it has shown mortality also. Thus it is the major cause of public health concern. Understanding the public health significance of disease, there is a need of continuous monitoring and surveillance of the virus in both human and animal population.