Are Over 34.9 Million People at Risk of Chikungunya Every Year, with South Asia Leading?
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Synopsis
A recent study reveals a staggering 34.9 million people are at risk of chikungunya infections each year, with South Asia leading the charge. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for awareness and prevention strategies to combat this debilitating disease.
Key Takeaways
- 34.9 million people are at risk of chikungunya annually.
- South Asia, including India and Pakistan, bears the highest burden.
- The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
- Chronic disabilities affect both young and elderly populations.
- Current efforts must focus on prevention and public awareness.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) Each year, more than 34.9 million individuals around the globe face the threat of chikungunya infections, with South Asian nations such as India, Pakistan, and Indonesia, along with Brazil, bearing the heaviest burden, as revealed by a comprehensive global study published on Thursday.
The chikungunya virus, an arbovirus spread by Aedes mosquitoes, triggers outbreaks in tropical locales and poses risks even in higher latitudes.
Conducted by experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in the UK, Nagasaki University in Japan, and the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul, South Korea, the research highlights that the majority of this burden stems from chronic disabilities, significantly affecting both the young (under 10) and the elderly (over 60).
According to the infectious disease model based on current data regarding chikungunya transmission, an estimated 14.4 million people could be at risk of infections worldwide annually, with 5.1 million of those in India.
The analysis suggests that chikungunya cases may extend into regions currently not experiencing infections or deemed at risk. This could potentially raise the global count of individuals at risk to 34.9 million, with 12.1 million in India, as reported in BMJ Global Health.
“It has been widely assumed that chikungunya-carrying mosquitoes would be limited to subtropical or tropical continents, but our findings indicate that the risk is much broader than previously thought,” said Hyolim Kang, the lead researcher who conducted this study as part of her Ph.D. at LSHTM.
The research team applied a random forest model to determine the infection force and quantify the chikungunya burden at a high spatial resolution (5×5 km), utilizing various climatic, socioeconomic, and ecological factors.
Additionally, they evaluated a focal scenario for estimating the observed burden (lower bound) and an at-risk scenario for estimating the possible burden (upper bound) of chikungunya transmission.
In the focal scenario, the calculated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were 0.96 million annually at a global level. India and Brazil together contributed to 48 percent of the global burden, with India accounting for 0.33 million DALYs and Brazil for 0.11 million DALYs.
South Asia represented the largest regional segment (44 percent), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (26 percent), East Asia and the Pacific (20.5 percent), and Sub-Saharan Africa (6.9 percent).
In the at-risk scenario, the study projected 2.3 million DALYs annually at the global level, with India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Brazil together accounting for 51 percent of the global burden.
“Preventing the spread of this disease is crucial for everyone. There are no specific antiviral treatments for chikungunya, and care is limited to supportive measures. Infections can be extremely painful, and even the healthiest individuals can suffer long-term disabilities,” Kang emphasized.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight that the rise in chikungunya infections is a pressing public health issue, particularly for nations in South Asia. With no specific antiviral treatments available, the emphasis must be on prevention and education to mitigate the impact of this disease.
NationPress
02/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, characterized by fever, joint pain, and other symptoms.
How is chikungunya spread?
The chikungunya virus is primarily spread through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
Symptoms include fever, joint pain, muscle pain, rash, and fatigue.
Is there a vaccine for chikungunya?
Currently, there is no specific vaccine for chikungunya, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.
How can chikungunya be prevented?
Preventing mosquito bites through the use of repellents, wearing protective clothing, and reducing mosquito breeding sites can help prevent chikungunya.
