"that which bends up."

After flood and heavy rains the majority of the casualties in the world last year due to the Chikungunya fever, was reported in the district of Alapuzha [mainly in Cherthala]. Chikungunya means "that which bends up." The viral fever makes people bend when they stand due to the pain in the joints.
The European Network for Diagnostics of "Imported" Viral Diseases (ENIVD) claims new phylogenetic variants of virus which are fatal have been identified on Réunion Island.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Chikungunya
Chloroquine is gaining ground as a possible treatment for the symptoms associated with Chikungunya and as an antiviral agent to combat the Chikungunya virus. It is a drug long used in the treatment malaria. As it also mildly suppresses the immune system, it is used in some autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Chloroquine phosphate (250 mg/day) has given promising results.


The symptoms of Chikungunya ( Varies from person to person)

- fever which can reach 39°C, (102.2°F)
- maculopapular rash usually involving the limbs and trunk,
- arthralgia or arthritis affecting multiple joints which can be debilitating.
- headache,
- conjunctival infection, and slight photophobia.
- high fever and
- crippling joint pain
_ Coffee Colored Vomiting
- Freckle like pigmentation over face
- ulcers over scrotum,
- pigmentary changes,
- maculopapular rash,
- lichenoid rash,
- ulcers show lymphocytic infiltration around dermal blood vessels.
- Pedal oedema (swelling of legs) is observed in many patients .

Prevention
Protect against any contact with the disease-carrying mosquitos.
These include using insect repellent containing NNDB or DEET or permethrin, wearing long sleeves and trousers (pants), and securing screens on windows and doors.
It's also important to empty stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
It does help eradicting the larvae of mosquitos, by breeding dragonfly .