Chikungunya to raise death risk from heart, kidney disease: Lancet

People infected with the chikungunya virus CHIKV still have an increased risk of death from complications of heart and kidney for up to three months postinfection according to new research published in The Lancet Infectious DiseasesChikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes to humans Most commonly the virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes more commonly known as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes respectivelyThe study team including researchers from the London School of Hygiene amp Tropical Medicine LSHTM analysed almost 150000 recorded chikungunya infections using data from the 100 million Brazilian cohortThe findings show that people infected with the virus are still at risk from complications even after the period of acute infection ends which typically lasts for 14 days postsymptom onsetIn the first week infected individuals were eight times more likely to die than unexposed individuals They were still twice as likely to die from complications at three months postinfectionThe team found that patients had an increased risk of death through cardiovascular conditions such as ischemic heart disease and metabolic and kidney diseases independent of age group and sexAedesborne diseases are anticipated to increase in frequency and location due to climate change urbanisation and heightened human mobility As such chikungunya disease is now seen as a growing threat to public healthWith chikungunya infections expected to increase its important that health services consider the risks that persist even after the acute phase of infection has ended said Dr Enny Da Paixao Cruz associate professor at LSHTMThe name chikungunya derives from a word in the Kimakonde language meaning to become contorted relating to the severe joint pain and fever associated with infection While most patients recover fully chikungunya disease can prove fatal Despite infections going largely unreported approximately 500000 cases and over 400 deaths were recorded worldwide in 2023There are currently no medications available to prevent chikungunya or specific treatments postinfection However the worlds first vaccine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2023This study highlights a pressing need for continued research and development of effective antichikungunya therapeutics and equitable access to approved vaccines in countries with recurring outbreaks Cruz saidReinforcing measures to control the spread of chikungunya viruscarrying mosquitoes is also essential for reducing the excess mortality associated with the diseaseThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever