Chikungunya: First Steps toward Specific Treatment and Prophylaxis

Extract

Chigungunya is an arthropod-borne viral disease that was first described in Tanzania in 1952 [1]. Since 1952, the Chigungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused outbreaks of infection in Africa (Zimbabwe, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, the Congo, and Central Africa Republic; during 1999–2000) and Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, and Java; during 2001–2003)

In 2004, outbreaks of CHIKV infection were recorded in coastal Kenya (Mombassa and Lamu Island) and, during 2005, an outbreak occurred in the Comoros [2]. Since 2005, outbreaks of greater magnitude have occurred in the Indian Ocean (in the Comoros during 2005, and then, on Réunion Island, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles). On Réunion Island, 38% of the inhabitants were infected [3]. In 2006, CHIKV reemerged in many parts of India after a gap of 32 years, and in 2007, CHIKV reached Europe (Italy). Since 2005, millions of cases of CHIKV disease have occurred in autochthonous populations and in travelers