Steamship Mutual - Gabon - Chikungunya Virus

As at 10 May 2007 early infection with the Chikungunya virus has been reported in Gabon. This information has since been confirmed by both the French Embassy in Libreville and the Gabonese Ministry of Health, which issued on 11 May 2007 an official warning notice to local populations.

The “Chikungunya” fever is a mosquito-borne virus which means "that which bends up" because of its painful, arthritic-type symptoms. This disease is an acute viral infection characterised by fever, chills and severe joint pain. Muscle pain, headache, rash, fear of bight light may also occur. Symptoms may last from 1 week to several months. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 12 days with a brutal temperature peak between days 4 and 7.

The virus is non-lethal as such, but may lead in some cases to medical complications for people in weak physical condition such as pregnant women, new-borns, children or sick people.

There is no specific cure to the virus itself and the only recourse is to treat the individual symptoms separately. For the fever and pain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as paracetamol or Ibuprofen are recommended. Massage therapy can be used to release the muscular tension. THE USE of ASPIRINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED as it increases the risks of haemorrhage due to its anti-coagulant effects on the blood.

There is currently no known vaccine. The only recommendations that are given are simply to avoid mosquito bites by:

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers;
Using aerosol insecticide indoors
Resting in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms;
Use bednets if sleeping areas are not air-conditioned or screened ;
Use insect repellents containing DEET on exposed skin .

***

As yet, no information has been released by the World Health Organisation on this particular outbreak. However, useful information (in French) about the Chikungunya virus can be found on the at: http://www.chikungunya.gouv.fr/, a website sponsored by the French Government.