28 November 2006

 

Suspected Chikungunya virus - Sri Lanka

An outbreak of suspected Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been reported in the Sri Lanka media. Doctors at the Molecular Medicine Unit at the Faculty of Medicine at Kelaniya University have tested blood from patients from Colombo, Hambanthota, and Kalmunai and have stated that the results confirm that CHIKV is present in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition are waiting for test results from samples that were sent to India and Thailand before confirming that the outbreak is CHIKV. Colombo National Hospital sources state that 500 to 600 people have been reporting daily to the hospital with suspected CHIKV [1]. The first cases of suspected CHIKV infection in Sri Lanka were reported 2 Nov 2006 from Mannar District [2].

CHIKV infection and dengue fever are clinically similar. However, unlike dengue fever, there is no haemorrhagic form of CHIKV and infection is usually self-limiting and rarely fatal [3]. In areas with both CHIKV and dengue fever outbreaks, it may be difficult to distinguish between these two infections on a clinical basis.

Advice for travellers

Both dengue fever and CHIKV are transmitted by mosquitoes (most commonly Aedes spp) and at present, there is no vaccine available to protect against these diseases. Travellers to affected areas are advised to take insect bite precautions during daylight hours when the Aedes mosquitoes are active. Malaria is also a risk for travellers to Northern Sri Lanka, so bite avoidance at night in these areas is important.

Information about CHIKV infection can be found in the NaTHNaC clinical update of 7 February 2006 [4]. For information about dengue fever, please see the NaTHNaC dengue health information sheet.

References

1. ProMED-mail, Chikungunya - Sri Lanka (02): 22 November 2006. 20061122.3320. Available online at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:8130838

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2. ProMED-mail, Chikungunya - Sri Lanka: suspected, request for information: 8 November 2006. 20061108.3210. Available online at:

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1202:5221689

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1202_PUB_MAIL_ID:X,35137

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreak Notice: Update: Chikungunya Fever India and the Indian Ocean Islands, 25 October 2006. Accessed 25 October 2006, available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/2006/chikungunya_india.htm

4. NaTHNaC. Chikungunya virus - Réunion, Mauritius and Seychelles. 7 February 2006. Accessed 24 November 2006, available online at:

http://www.NaTHNaC.org/travel/news/chik1_070206.htm

 

Links

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Chikungunya Virus Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Chikungunya/CH_FactSheet.html

NaTHNaC Dengue health information sheet: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/travel/factsheets/dengue.htm