- This appears to be a serious Chikungunya outbreak. Has
the patogen mutated? This outbreak, which is seriously underestimated,
appears to have complications of myelo-meningo-encephalitis. There is
an unidentified illness in Angola which has symptoms quite similar to the
symptoms we are seeing in Reunion Island.
-
- Has this illness spread beyond Reunion? Chikungunya
is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The numbers of cases
are high for a mosquito borne virus.
-
- More information on the current virus sequence would
be needed to determine if the virus has mutated to a more deadly form.
-
- Patricia Doyle
-
-
- From Lionel Suzon
- lionel.suz@gmail.com
- 1-23-6
-
- I'm a doctor at the southern end of Reunion Island. First
of all, almost everybody here, especially doctors, agree that the epidemic
is underestimated. According to an unofficial estimate by the "Conseil
Departemental de l'Ordre des Medecins", there would be almost 40 000
cases.
-
- 2 weeks ago, I was personally seeing about 5 new cases
of chikungunya fever each day, whereas there were officially about 100
new cases a week for the entire island. The epidemic began 11 months ago
and was focused in a limited number of areas. During the last week, the
epidemic has become explosive and out of control, but I was on holiday,
so I didn't notice it personally. On Monday, when I'll be back to work,
I'm afraid the number of new cases will be much higher.
-
- This disease is usually considered a benign one, and
this is also my clinical impression, even if some patients suffer arthralgias
or stiffness for months. But some unexpected complications have occurred
here: several cases of myelo-meningo-encephalitis have been reported, some
in neonates, with a strong suspicion of maternal-foetal transmission. Some
wonder if we will see the first-ever fatal case of chikungunya.
-
- Fear, as fever, is now spreading in the population. Unfortunately,
communication is mainly controlled by local press and politicians. I would
personally prefer a recognised expert.
-
-
- ProMed Mail
-
- Dr. Suzon's report is greatly appreciated by ProMED-mail.
Chikungunya is characterized by a brief febrile episode, persistent arthralgia
in some cases, but not by mortality. It is thus rather different from
dengue infection. The latter can develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever
and shock syndrome, which tends to be fatal. In the wake of the current
widespread epidemic of chikungunya, local health professionals worry that
some fatalities may result from complications without timely and effective
public health measures. - Mod.RY
-
- http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/nord145.asp
-
- "Chikungunya is a rare viral infection transmitted
by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is characterized by a rash, fever,
and severe joint pain (arthralgias) that usually lasts for three to seven
days. Because of its effect on the joints, Chikungunya has been classified
among the Arthritic Viruses. It primarily occurs in tropical areas of the
world."
-
- --Patricia Doyle
-
- Patricia A. Doyle, DVM, PhD- Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural
Economics
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at:
-
- http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?
- Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
- Also my new website:
-
- http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
-
|
