Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

As thousands of cases of chikungunya virus are reported across parts of Asia, health experts are reminding UAE residents returning from summer holidays to be aware of the mosquito-borne illness and how to protect themselves. More than 7,700 people in China’s southern Guangdong province have been infected in recent weeks, according to the China Association for Science and Technology. Most cases were in the industrial hub of Foshan, where 2,770 people fell ill between July 27 and August 2. Dozens of infections have also been detected in Guangzhou, while Hong Kong confirmed its first case earlier this month. Chikungunya—spread to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes—causes sudden fever, rash, and joint pain that may persist for weeks or even months. While rarely fatal, the illness can be debilitating, especially for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Dr. Sanam Mallick, family consultant at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said the virus has been circulating in parts of Asia and Africa for some time, with notable outbreaks in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the past year. She noted a few cases were also reported in Saudi Arabia during the recent Hajj season. “There is no vaccination for this virus, so prevention is the most important thing to consider,” Dr. Mallick said in a report by The National. “People will be coming back to the UAE for work and school from all over the world, so there is a chance that we may see some cases in the coming months.” The incubation period for chikungunya is up to 14 days, meaning a traveler could be infected overseas and not show symptoms until after returning home. Cleveland Clinic, which also operates in the UAE, advises that there is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and care focuses on managing symptoms such as fever and pain. Most people recover within a week, but some experience lingering joint pain. The clinic also recommends infected individuals avoid mosquito bites for about one week to prevent further spread. Prevention tips include: • Applying insect repellent regularly • Wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers • Avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, especially in the evenings • Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed Globally, more than 240,000 chikungunya infections and 90 deaths have been reported in 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. CAM/Expat Media
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