Chikungunya prompts travel notice for Telangana, India
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice recently (Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions) for Telangana state, in south-central India due to a higher-than-expected number of chikungunya cases among U.S. travelers returning from the state.
According to the state director of public health, Dr. B. Ravinder Nayak, out of 13,320 samples tested as of November 19, 447 chikungunya cases were confirmed in Telangana, predominantly during August and September.
The state health department said that the situation remained under control. The department dismissed fears of an alarming outbreak, attributing the rise to seasonal patterns and highlighting proactive measures undertaken to manage the disease.
Roger S. Nasci, PhD: Chikungunya (2013 interview)
CDC advises travelers to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors.
Vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for people aged 18 years or older who are traveling to a destination with a current chikungunya outbreak.
The vaccine should not be given to people with weakened immune systems or who have had a serious allergic reaction to any part of the vaccine. If you are pregnant, reconsider travel to the state of Telangana, India, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby. Mothers infected around the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby before or during delivery. Newborns infected in this way or by a mosquito bite are at risk for severe illness, including poor long-term outcomes.
In general, vaccination against chikungunya should be deferred until after delivery. However, when the risk of infection is high and exposure cannot be avoided, pregnant travelers should discuss with their healthcare provider the potential risks (to themselves and their babies) of chikungunya virus infection, and the potential benefits and risks of vaccination, so that vaccination can be considered.
If pregnant people choose to be vaccinated, out of caution vaccination should generally be avoided during the 1st trimester (until the 14th week of pregnancy) and after the 36th week of pregnancy.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through by mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus. The mosquitoes involved in transmission are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
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The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Severe joint pain usually lasts a few days but can persist for months or even years. Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people and in children under one year old.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya; however, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a vaccine for some travelers.