Doctors For Chikungunya In Swat

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It was first identified in 1952 when it broke out in southern Tanzania. The virus that causes it is an RNA virus from Togaviridae family’s alphavirus genus. The term ‘chikungunya’ is a derivative that means ‘to become contorted’ in the Kimakonde language. It refers to how the people infected by it appear to be stooped down because of the pain in their joints.

Chikungunya virus is primarily transmitted through the infected Aedes mosquito's sting. The same type of mosquitoes is also responsible for transmitting the dengue virus as well. Their breeding place is near where humans live and their preferred feeding time is during the day in areas where there is ample shade or during early night.

While Chikungunya will not be fatal for a clear majority of the time, the symptoms are still not at all present and greatly impair the functionality of the individual.