Chikungunya: Symptoms, Prevention, and Vaccination at North Vancouver Travel Clinic

Vector

Bite from an infect mosquito.

Countries

Cases have been reported in over a hundred countries, including much of Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, China and many other areas of Asia and Southeast Asia (see map).

Symptoms

Sudden onset of fever, pain in the joints and muscles, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. The joint pain can be debilitating.

Symptoms usually occur between 4 and 8 days after being bitten but can occur between 2 and 12 days, therefore you may start to feel ill when you are back home after your trip.

Severe case

Serious cases are not common and most people make a full recovery. However, the pain in the joints can last for months or even years, and while symptoms can be treated, there is no known cure for the infection.

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Prevention

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip

• Take steps to avoid mosquito bites when mosquitoes are most active (during daylight and dusk hours)

• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either 20% Picaridin (e.g Moskito Guard®), DEET, PMD or OLE, IR3535 or 2-undecanone

• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose-fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks, and shoes) to minimize exposed skin.

• Use mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in unscreened accommodation or sleeping outdoors during the day or night.

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Vaccine

• There is currently no vaccine available against chikungunya available in Canada