• Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV): transmitted by day-biting mosquito.
• Primarily seen in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, France, Italy, but the first cases in the Western Hemisphere (the Caribbean) were reported this week.

Clinical Presentation:

• Similar to dengue: fever, headache, muscle pain, rash, joint pain, mild bleeding dyscrasia
• Prolonged, incapacitating joint pain often seen

Diagnosis

• Based off of clinical features, travel to affected area
• ELISA available through CDC

Treatment

• Supportive: fever reducers, fluids, avoid aspirin

Bottom line:

Chikungunya virus can cause symptoms similar to dengue fever but is not as deadly. This week the first cases of CHIKV were reported in the Caribbean. Consider this in travelers returning from endemic areas.

Distinguishing features:

• Pain is more intense and localized to joints and tendons in CHIKV
• Onset of fever is more acute and duration is shorter in CHIKV
• Shock or severe hemorrhage is rare in CHIKV

University of Maryland Section for Global Emergency Health

Author: Andi Tenner, MD, MPH, FACEP

References

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/CHIKV_Clinicians.pdf

http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44572