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Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

145:
Chikungunya

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Chikungunya) is not
the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     DISORDER SUBDIVISIONS:
     O'Nyong-Nyong

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section.


Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted by certain mosquitoes and
characterized by a rash, severe temporary joint pain, and, in the case of
O'Nyong-Nyong (an East African variety of the disease), headache and eye
pain.  The disease affects mostly children and young adults.  It occurs in
Africa, Southern Asia, and the Philippines.  Arthritic symptoms usually
resolve within several weeks without causing permanent damage.

Symptoms

Chikungunya usually occurs during childhood or young adulthood.  Joint pain,
sufficiently severe to immobilize the patient and prevent sleep, marks the
onset of the disease.  The joints involved include the knees, elbows, wrists,
ankles, and fingers.  There may be fever.  Several days later, a rash appears
on the thorax, abdomen, arms, and legs.  It is itchy and consists of small
discolored, raised spots.  In O'Nyong-Nyong, an East African variety of
Chikungunya, there is also headache and eye pain, and sometimes enlargement
of the lymph nodes in the neck.

Causes

Chikungunya is caused by a virus belonging to the group A arboviruses.
Various species of mosquitos can transmit the disease.  Hosts other than man
that can harbor the infection include monkeys.

Affected Population

Chikungunya affects mostly children and young adults in Africa, South East
Asia, and the India.  O'Nyong-nyong is a variety of chikungunya found in East
Africa.  A large outbreak occurred in Tanganyika in 1953.

Therapies:  Standard

Chikungunya resolves spontaneously several weeks after onset.  Bed rest and
symptomatic care are the only useful treatments.  As with other viral
diseases, antibiotics are ineffective.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Chikungunya, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
     1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
     Atlanta, GA  30333
     (404) 639-3534

     NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5717

References

THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed:  R. Berkow, et al:  eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987.  Pp. 165, 190.

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  P. 1819.