Chikungunya in New Caledonia

An outbreak of the disease, Chikungunya in New Caledonia has raised concerns amongst health authorities. It is believed to have started from a traveller who arrived from Indonesia in late February. This is the first time that Chikungunya has been identified in New Caledonia.

An outbreak of the disease, Chikungunya in New Caledonia has raised concerns amongst health authorities. It is believed to have started from a traveller who arrived from Indonesia in late February. This is the first time that Chikungunya has been identified in New Caledonia.

In 2006 over 250,000 people were infected on the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion – one in 16 people on the island.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Epidemics of it have occurred in West, Central and Southern Africa and many areas of Asia over the past 50 years. An epidemic has been documented in countries of the Indian Ocean since 2006. The virus is believed to circulate continuously between mosquitoes and monkeys.

The Chikungunya illness is characterized by fever, headache, conjunctivitis, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain. The term ‘chikungunya’ is Swahili for ‘that which bends up.’

The incubation period (time from infection to illness) can be 2-12 days, but is usually 3-7 days. "Silent" infections (infections without illness) do occur; but how commonly this happens is not yet known. The fever typically lasts a few days to a couple of weeks, but, as with Dengue Fever, Ross Fever and a number of other Arboviral fevers some patients have prolonged fatigue lasting several weeks. Additionally, some patients have reported incapacitating joint pain, or arthritis which may last for months.

The main mosquito responsible is Aedes Aegypti. This is the same species responsible for Dengue fever. It is an aggressive day time biter and breeds in small household containers that collect water such as discarded cans.

Treatment

No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya fever is available. Treatment is symptomatic; rest and extra fluids. Paracetamol may relieve symptoms of fever and aching. Aspirin/nurofen should be avoided as with dengue fever.

Travellers are advised to reduce their exposure to mosquito bites as much as possible using repellents and appropriate clothing.