The World Health Organization (WHO) said 7,474 cases of Chikungunya have been reported in Congo, a report by the WHO Office, received by PANA here Thursday, disclosed. Majority of the cases, 7,014, were reported in the seven districts of Brazzaville, while the remaining 460 were reported in Goma Tse-Tse (438) and Kinkala, Southern Congo (22) in the Pool region. The report stated that no death had yet been reported in Brazzaville as at 23 June. However, the number of patients has increased steadily.

Chikungunya, a viral disease, is spread by mosquitoes and causes fever and severe arthralgia (joint pain).

Other symptoms are muscle pain, headache, nausea and fatigue, among others.

The disease is characterized by clinical signs similar to those of dengue fever, which can lead to misdiagnosis in areas where dengue is present.

It erupted in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

In recent decades, the chikungunya-bearing mosquitoes have spread to Europe and the Americas.

Chikungunya, which is a vector-borne disease, was reported for the first time in Europe in 2007 during a localized outbreak in north-eastern Italy.

In Congo, the technical epidemic management committee is working to provide care to patients and support research.

The WHO report indicated that the first results confirmed the presence of two species of Aedes (Chikunguiya-bearing mosquitoes): aegypti and albopictus.

There are also two peaks of aggressiveness, in the morning from 6:00 to 11:00 and the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

According to a response plan put in place for the disease, health authorities also want to focus on good hygiene and basic sanitation among populations and especially the acquisition of stock of insecticides and equipment needed for the start of vector control.

It also plans to involve other partners such as the departments in charge of the environment, public works, the interior and national defence, as well as private health facilities in the fight.

Pana 01/07/2011