Re-emergence of chikungunya: epidemiology and roles of vector in the transmission of the disease

By Suriptiastuti
Chikungunya (CHIK) fever is a disease caused by virus of the genus Alphavirus in the family Togaviridae which is transmitted to human by the bite of infected mosquito. The vector of this disease is the Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The disease was first described by Robinson and Lumsden in 1955 following an outbreak on the Makonde Plateau in 1952. Like malaria and dengue, CHIK has been endemic in Africa and Asia and has caused epidemics in those places. The clinical features of CHIK fever include sudden onset of fever, arthralgia, and rash. CHIK is a self-limiting disease. There is no specific drug therapy available, treatment of CHIK fever is supportive. Therefore, controlling the vector is an effective mean to prevent the disease.