Chikungunya: Questions and Answers

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is working with the countries of the Americas in response to the appearance of the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, causing high fever, joint pain, rash, headache, and muscle pain. The first case of indigenous transmission in the Americas was confirmed on 6 December 2013. 
 

preguntas y respuestas sobre chikungunya

Chikungunya is a virus that causes high fever, headache, and joint and muscle pain about three to seven days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Although most patients tend to feel better within days or weeks, some develop chronic joint pain and inflammation.

The disease rarely causes death, but joint pain can last months or even years for some people. Complications are more frequent in children under 1 and in people over 65 years of age and/or with chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.). There is no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent infection by this virus.