310 likes | 640 Views
Chikungunya. The Facts. What is Chikungunya?. A viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes First described in the 1770s Virus first isolated from cases and mosquitoes in Tanzania in 1952. Chikungunya Virus. Chikungunya in the Americas. Over 737,000 cases. Started in Sint Martin Dec 2013.
E N D
Chikungunya The Facts
What is Chikungunya? • A viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes • First described in the 1770s • Virus first isolated from cases and mosquitoes in Tanzania in 1952 Chikungunya Virus
Chikungunya in the Americas Over 737,000 cases Started in Sint Martin Dec 2013 33 countries affected now 10,637 confirmed; 118 deaths – Sept 26, 2014
How is it Spread • Bite of the infected Aedes aegypti mosquito • White stripes around their legs
AEDES MOSQUITOES Most active for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset • Egg to adult can occur in 7-8 days. • Aggressive Biting throughout the day • Commonly found indoors • Live in & around dwellings (humans) • Eggs can survive dry areas for long periods (up to 1 year) • Prefer clean water • Lay eggs during the day in water • Life span for adult mosquitoes is around three weeks
How is Chikungunya Transmitted? Mosquito bites an infected person 10 days later the mosquito will be ready to transmit virus Sick chikungunya Healthy person comes down with Chikungunya Infected mosquito bites a healthy person symptoms 3-7 days later Sick 3- 10 days
What happens when bitten by Infected Mosquito? Signs & Symptoms appear within 3-7 days
What happens when bitten by Infected Mosquito? • Illness lasts 3-10 days • Life long protection develops • Can’t get it again • Death rarely occurs • Almost always related to other existing health problems e.g. Diabetes, Hypertension, heart disease • Infants under 1 year, adults over 65 years and people with chronic illnesses most at risk for complications
Why is it spreading so fast? • It is a new virus in Jamaica • The entire population has never been exposed so they areat risk for Chikungunya; • The Vector (Aedesmosquito) is all around us
PREVENTION TIPS • Wear long sleeved light coloured clothes and pants to protect against mosquito bites. • Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body. • Use mosquito screens or nets
CONTROL TIPS • Eliminate stagnant water in and around the home, school and work place to avoid mosquito breeding • Tightly cover all water storage containers so that mosquitoes cannot get in • Get rid of any container which can hold rain water (used tyres, food cans, styrofoam boxes, saucers under flower pots, etc) • Scrub flower vases and change the water at least once a week
Chikungunya control is Mosquito control PLAY YOUR PART!!!