About

• Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae.
• It was first identified in 1952 in Tanzania.
• Transmission: Chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours.
• Symptoms: Chikungunya virus infection typically begins with a sudden onset of fever accompanied by severe joint pain, which can be debilitating and last from days to years. Other symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and rash. 
• Diagnostics: Chikungunya virus may be detected directly in blood samples collected during the first week of illness using tests such as reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR).
• Treatment and vaccines: There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for CHIKV infections. Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms, with the use of analgesics and antipyretics to alleviate pain and fever, along with encouraging rest and maintaining adequate hydration. There is no commercial vaccine available to protect against chikungunya virus infection.
• Prevention: To prevent Chikungunya, key measures include avoiding mosquito bites, especially during the first week of illness. Reducing mosquito breeding sites by cleaning water containers is essential, and insecticides may be used in outbreaks to control mosquito populations. 

Why in News?

• Following a spike in chikungunya cases in Telangana, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for U.S. travelers returning from Telangana.