E-DRUG: RFI: Chikungunya?
-------------------------
Dear All,
There is actually an epidemic situation of Chikungunya in the Mascarene Islands of the Indian Ocean: Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros.
Chikungunya means "the curbed man in Swahili (?)
The disease is caused by an alpha virus and the known vector is a black mosquito with white spots called: aedes albopictue
The Major symptoms are:
High fever, 39-40
Malaise
Headache
Arthralgia with oedema at articulations level
Rash
Reunion Island where surveillance is excellent has reported 30 000 cases in one year of which 5000 new cases in Jan 06.
They have reported cases of encephalitis and also suspected cases of mother to child transmission with newborns needing ICU treatment at birth.
No death has been reported as directly related to Chikungunya,
Literature on the disease seems extremely scarce.
Treatment is currently only symptomatic.
Anybody has anything to share?
Is there a known antiviral against this disease?
Sarita K Boolell
Senior Pharmacist
Mauritius Institute Of Health
Pamplemousses
Mauritius
sarita_ph@yahoo.com
tel office: +230 2433772 or 2433698
fax: +230 243 3270
E-DRUG: RFI: Chikungunya? (2)
-----------------------------
Dear Friends
The situation has not yet reached an epidemic state in Mauritius. But due to a small population (1.2 million), it is quite alarming and concentrated in dense areas, which are mainly rural. The "Arbovirus" is vectored by the specific mosquito, which luckily seems to bite only during daytime. The disease rampantly affected people in the Port-Louis North region last April and Govt. seemed least bothered about this situation. Our retail pharmacy was flooded with people.
I was myself afflicted by the "Chikungunya" which rightly deserves its name of broken bones". With the coming of the winter season, the no. of cases subsided almost to a halt, while Reunion Island was severely affected. Unfortunately it affected them throughout the year and even up to now. Now its is back in Mauritius.
Unfortunately there is no cure other than prevention and eradicating mosquitoes. The symptoms subside after 3-8 months. Although there is no direct death associated with it, we believe approximately 3-4 people died from it indirectly. (Probably to old age). Census regarding this disease is very poor. Children and Old-aged people are therefore at greater risks of severe complications and great care should be taken to avoid them being bitten by the vector.
Only NSAIDs alleviated the symptoms and a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme, the "Serratio peptidase" helped a lot. People should under no situation resort to " Rubbing" or "Massaging" as such manipulations worsened the symptoms and aggravated the swellings. Some also were wrongly taking calcium supplements with the belief that it would help. As this disease affected mainly the Joints, "Chondroitin SO4 and Glucosamine SO4" proved to be more helpful.
Unfortunately there is no "vaccine" for this yet, as this is a Tropical Disease, which Pharmaceutical Laboratories are not interested in, due to its low potential market. In the past, Members of the US Peace Corps in Philippines were afflicted by this disease, which incited some researchers to venture into the possibility of having a vaccine. I also dont know if one gets immunised from the first attack. Also it appears that the virus can mutate. This is another dangerous situation. I hope that members can help.
Regards
Kentish
Mauritius
kent15@intnet.mu
[please provide affiliation in your e-drug messages! Thanks, Wilbert]
E-DRUG: RFI: Chikungunya? (3)
-----------------------------
Dear Mr Kentish
Day biting mosquitoes in urban areas -- presumably Aedes Egyptii
Fever with feeling of broken bones. Massaging increases symptoms -- this
might be dengue fever?
Can't your local WHO office help?
Yours,
Ruth Hope
ruth.hope@verizon.net
[A search on www.who.int for Chikungunya gave 40 hits. Google returns 418,000 hits... WB]
E-DRUG: RFI: Chikungunya? (4)
-----------------------------
Dear Ruth
Thanks. The "aedes albopictus" mosquito equally vectors the "West Nile Fever" Virus, the "Dengue" and "Encephalitis". But the disease affecting this region is the "Chikungunya". The Ministry of Health has identified it.
THIS year, the authorities ARE reacting positively. The French Government has been literally forced to react in The Reunion Island. The only solution they have so far is "prevention" i.e Mosquito repellent Gels/sprays, Mosquito Nets and Spraying Larvicide everywhere. Campaigns educating people to get rid of stagnant water are useful to reduce the vector. It appears that a few weeks ago a 10 year-old girl from Reunion Island, died directly from this disease.
Regards
Kentis
Mauritius
kent15@intnet.mu
[Anybody any idea whether antivirals are effective in Chikungunya? WB]