OSSSC Nursing Disease Guide

Communicable · Medium priority

Chikungunya

Core disease facts with the linked government programme, prevention and treatment or cure reality.

TypeViral disease — caused by chikungunya virus.

Image-based identification

Aedes aegypti mosquito with white-banded legs
What to identifyAedes aegypti is a shared vector for chikungunya and dengue; recognise its white-marked legs.Image credit: James Gathany, CDC — public domain

Government programmes, schemes and services

  • Programme: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme: Aims to reduce chikungunya illness through Aedes-breeding control, surveillance, community action and supportive case-management guidance.
  • Surveillance: Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme–IHIP: Flags fever-with-joint-pain clusters and supports laboratory confirmation and outbreak response.

Prevention

  • Prevent: Aedes source reduction and daytime bite protection

Treatment and cure reality

  • Treat: No routine specific antiviral cure. Fluids, paracetamol and supportive care; persistent arthritis may need follow-up.

Must remember

  • Vector: Aedes mosquito; mainly a day biter.
  • Typical pair: Abrupt fever plus severe joint pain; arthralgia can persist for weeks or months.
  • Other findings: Rash, headache, myalgia, and fatigue.
  • Diagnosis: Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction early; Immunoglobulin M serology later.
  • Treatment: Supportive; no routine specific antiviral treatment.
  • Dengue trap: Exclude dengue before giving aspirin/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because of bleeding risk.