At the moment, the Chikungunya virus does not pose a direct threat to Cyprus.
On Thursday, August 7, a professor of microbiology and molecular virology, Dr. Petros Karayannis, said. Although the risk of infection exists, at the moment it is considered remote. The professor emphasized that the virus is not transmitted from person to person, and infection occurs exclusively through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Answering the question about the outbreak of the virus in China and the potential threat to Europe and Cyprus, Karayannis recalled that the Chicunga virus is not a novelty. It was first allocated in Tanzania in 1952 and received its name from the word in the local language, meaning "curved"-due to characteristic pain in the joints, which violates posture.
According to the professor, this virus in recent years periodically causes outbreaks in different parts of the world, mainly in regions with a warm climate, where mosquitoes are actively propagated - the main carriers of infection.
Infection occurs during a bite - a mosquito when the blood is sampled simultaneously inserts a virus into the human body through saliva. However, it is important to emphasize that transmission from person to person is impossible without the participation of a mosquito. Of particular concern is the fact that over the past 2-3 years, mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (in particular Albopictus and Aegypti) have reached Southern Europe, including Cyprus.
Karayannis noted that these types of mosquitoes are able to transfer not only the Chicungy virus, but also other dangerous diseases, such as Denge and Zika virus. However, in order for the virus to begin to spread locally, it is necessary that an infected person who will bite the local mosquito and thus the chain will come to the island. At the moment, such cases are not recorded in Cyprus.
Among the symptoms are high temperature, pain and swelling in the joints, head and muscle pain, rash. The incubation period is from 2 to 12 days, and the symptoms can persist about a week. In rare cases (1 out of 1000), a fatal outcome is possible. In the risk zone - children, elderly people and patients with chronic diseases. The professor also emphasized that 30–40% of the emis can remain in joint pain for months or even years.
At the moment, there is neither specific treatment nor a vaccine from Chicungun. Symptomatic treatment is prescribed to patients to facilitate the condition.
The professor advised people planning trips to the regions where flashes of the virus were recorded, wear clothes with long sleeves, use repellents and mosquito nets, especially at night. Also good protection are fans, which, according to the experience of the countries of Southeast Asia, help to scare away mosquitoes.
To distinguish chicunga from other viruses, including Covid-19, a PCR test is used, which allows you to identify the RNA of the virus and exclude diseases such as Zika, Denge's fever and yellow fever. Karayannis recalled that coronavirus is not transmitted through mosquito bites, but now in Cyprus there is an increase in the incidence of Covid-19.
The growth of coronavirus cases in the summer months is the expected phenomenon. Now two Omicron strain is circulated, which cause, mainly severe sore throat and sometimes gastrointestinal disorders.
Regarding the decision of the United States to suspend financing of MRNA-Waccrine research, the professor spoke out critically, noting that this could damage the United States itself, as it would open the way to European countries to leadership in this area. According to him, MRNA technologies already show prospects not only against viruses, but also in the treatment of cancer.
In conclusion, Karayannis recalled the need to observe hygiene and caution in places of people's accumulation, as well as in pools, to avoid infections such as gastroenteritis, otitis media and others.
Source: Reporter.com.cy
