The Chikungunya virus, spread by mosquitoes and marked by severe joint pain and fever, is spreading in tropical regions and alarming health officials worldwide. Here are seven key points about the disease.

1. Spread by common mosquitoes

Chikungunya is caused by an alphavirus carried mainly by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — the same insects that spread dengue and Zika. They thrive in warm cities where stagnant water is common. Experts warn that climate change and poor sanitation are driving their spread.

2. Painful symptoms

The disease causes sudden, intense joint pain along with fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Symptoms usually appear within a week of being bitten. Joint pain may last for months or even years, earning it the nickname “bending disease” in parts of Africa.

3. A global footprint

First detected in Tanzania in 1952, Chikungunya has spread across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Brazil and India have seen recent outbreaks. The virus arrived in the Americas in 2013, with more than one million cases recorded by 2015. Europe reports occasional cases linked to travellers.

4. Hard to diagnose

The illness resembles dengue and Zika, making it hard to identify without blood tests. In many rural areas, labs cannot confirm cases quickly, delaying treatment.

5. No cure, only relief

There is no specific treatment. Care focuses on rest, fluids, and pain relief, often with paracetamol. Aspirin and some anti-inflammatories are avoided until dengue is ruled out because of bleeding risks. Patients are urged to avoid mosquito bites to prevent further spread.

6. Prevention is vital

With no vaccine widely available, the best defence is mosquito control. Communities are urged to drain standing water, use insect repellent, and fit window screens. Vaccine trials are underway, with promising results reported in 2024.

7. Long-term effects

Although rarely fatal, the disease can leave up to half of patients with chronic joint pain, sometimes for years. Older adults, newborns, and people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable to severe illness.

Nigeria measures

Health experts in Nigeria, where mosquitoes are widespread, urge households to cover water containers, clear blocked drains, sleep under insecticide-treated nets, and wear long clothing, especially in the evenings. Officials say simple steps can sharply cut infections in crowded urban areas.

With warmer climates expanding mosquito habitats, experts warn that the virus will remain a global challenge.