Chikungunya

WHAT IS IT?

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. Chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and Zika. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Also found in the Americas in the Caribbean. There currently have not been any locally transmitted cases reported in Georgia.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms generally begin 3 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Chikungunya usually lasts for 7 days. The joint pain is often very debilitating and can last for months. People at risk for a more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, adults older than 65 years of age, and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.