WHO warns of high risk of spreading Chikungunya virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) says an estimated 5.6 billion people in 119 countries are at risk of infection with the Chikungunya virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability.

The Chikungunya virus outbreak began earlier this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on July 22 called for urgent action to prevent the return of the disease caused by the Chikungunya virus, as new outbreaks involving several African island nations in the Indian Ocean spread.

The WHO says an estimated 5.6 billion people in 119 countries are now at risk of infection with the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability. The 2004-2005 pandemic of the virus affected nearly half a million people, mostly in small island states, before spreading worldwide .

The Chikungunya virus outbreak began earlier this year with major outbreaks on African islands in the Indian Ocean that have been affected by the disease, such as La Reunion and French Mayotte, and Mauritius.

The virus has since spread to other countries in Africa such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, as well as signs of spreading to India and Southeast Asia.

European countries have also seen a worrying situation as infections from outside the continent have increased rapidly.

According to WHO, in France alone, since May 1, 800 cases of imported Chikungunya have been detected, with 12 cases of infection recorded in several regions in southern France.

Chikungunya virus disease currently has no specific treatment, is spread mainly by aedes mosquitoes, including the “Aedes” group that is infected with dengue and zika viruses, and can cause rapid outbreaks on a large scale.

VNA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/who-canh-bao-nguy-co-lay-lan-cao-cua-virus-chikungunya-post895628.html