Chikungunya : “Chikungunya Death Risk: Study Unveils 3-Month Post-Infection”

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Chikungunya: A Study Reveals Death Risk May Last Up to 3 Months Post-Infection

The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal recently published a study revealing that the chikungunya virus can lead to fatalities up to three months after the infection is cured. Chikungunya is a viral vector-borne disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, commonly known as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, respectively. These mosquitoes transmit the virus by biting an infected person and then biting another healthy person, injecting the virus into their bloodstream.

In 2023, nearly 400 deaths and five lakh cases of chikungunya were reported, with many cases going unreported. While some patients recover fully, chikungunya can be fatal for many. Unfortunately, there is no specific medication or treatment to prevent post-infection fatality, which is a significant concern for health officials.

Treatment for Chikungunya

Despite ongoing medical advancements, there is currently no specific medication or treatment for chikungunya. However, in November of last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world’s first chikungunya vaccine.

Enny Da Paixao Cruz, an Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in the UK and senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of considering the risks that persist even after the acute phase of chikungunya infection has ended, particularly with the expected increase in chikungunya infections.

Study Findings

According to the researchers from Lancet, the following findings were observed:

After the acute infection period of chikungunya is over, patients are still at risk of complications. This risk period may last for 14 days or even longer after the onset of symptoms. Individuals who were exposed to the infection are eight times more likely to die in the first week of infection compared to those who were not exposed. At three months post-infection, patients may be twice as likely to die from complications. The risk of death is primarily attributed to cardiovascular conditions such as ischemic heart disease, as well as other factors like metabolic problems and kidney diseases. It is important to note that these complications can affect individuals of any age and gender.

Climate change is already causing a serious increase in vector-borne diseases, and experts predict that aedes-borne diseases may become even more frequent and widespread. Factors such as urbanization and increased human mobility also contribute to this spike in chikungunya cases, making it a growing threat to public health.