Chikungunya: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, Management, and Prevention

Chikungunya, a zoonotic disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), is transmitted by infected Aedes spp mosquitoes. CHIKV has now spread to more than 100 countries and is listed on the WHO Blueprint priority pathogens. After an incubation period of 1 to 12 days, symptoms similar to other febrile infections appear, with a sudden onset of high fever, nausea, polyarthralgia, myalgia, widespread skin rash, and conjunctivitis. Serious complications include myocarditis, uveitis, retinitis, hepatitis, acute renal disease, severe bullous lesions, meningoencephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myelitis, and cranial nerve palsies. Treatment is supportive; there is no specific antiviral treatment and no effective vaccine.