Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:18
Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1
Published on: March 13, 2018
Chikungunya fever outbreak, Bhutan, 2012.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|September 20, 2013
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first detected in Bhutan in 2012. Phylogenetic analysis identified the East/Central/South African genotype, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and lab capacity for future outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging arbovirus with significant public health implications.
- The first documented emergence of CHIKV in Bhutan occurred in 2012, necessitating an understanding of its genetic and epidemiological characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the initial detection and characterization of chikungunya virus in Bhutan.
- To determine the genotype of the circulating CHIKV strain and assess diagnostic findings.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing using IgM ELISA on patient samples.
- Molecular testing using PCR for viral RNA detection.
- Phylogenetic analysis of CHIKV isolates to determine genetic lineage.
Main Results:
- Out of 210 patient samples, 36 tested positive for CHIKV IgM antibodies.
- PCR confirmed CHIKV presence in 32 out of 81 tested samples.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Bhutan CHIKV strain belongs to the East/Central/South African genotype.
Conclusions:
- The 2012 CHIKV outbreak in Bhutan was caused by the East/Central/South African genotype.
- Establishing robust surveillance systems and enhancing laboratory diagnostic capabilities are crucial for managing future CHIKV outbreaks in Bhutan.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:25Cholera
Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
01:27Influenza
Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...