Reemergence of an unusual disease: the chikungunya epidemic

Abstract

Since the beginning of 2006, a crippling mosquito-borne disease has shown an explosive emergence in nations in the Indian Ocean area. By March 7, 2006, 157,000 people had been infected in the French island La Réunion, and the disease had spread to the islands of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mayotte (French). Subsequently, the disease appeared in India, China, and European countries. The World Health Organization is taking measures to assist in fighting the epidemic. This article describes the disease, its recent emergence, and the current epidemic.

Figure 1

(A) This female Aedes aegypti mosquito is shown here after landing on a human host, as it is about to obtain a blood meal. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a known transmitter of Dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya fever. The viruses are transferred to the host when bitten by a female mosquito. (Courtesy of the CDC/WHO, ID# 2740.) (B) A female Aedes aegypti mosquito rests on the skin of a human host while she acquires a blood meal. (Courtesy of the CDC and Robert S. Craig, ID#: 6923.) (Color version of figure is available online.)

Figure 2

(A) This female Aedes albopictus mosquito is feeding on a human blood meal, thereby becoming engorged with blood. (Courtesy of the CDC and James Gathany, ID #4735.) (B) A blood-engorged female Aedes albopictus mosquito is feeding on a human host. (Courtesy of the CDC, ID#: 2167.) (Color version of figure is available online.)

Figure 3

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (right) visits La Réunion to observe the campaign launched against chikungunya fever. Copyright Beno”t Granier/Matignon/afrol News (Courtesy of Afrol News). (Color version of figure is available online.)

Figure 4

(a) Shown are numerous eggs of the chikungunya mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. (Courtesy of the CDC, ID#: 5129.) (b) Closeup of Aedes aegypti mosquito pupae, side view. Parasite. (Courtesy of the CDC, ID#: 690.) (c) Closeup of Aedes aegypti mosquito fourth stage larvae, side view. Parasite. (Courtesy of the CDC, ID #689.) (Color version of figure is available online.)