Key facts

Transmission

Mosquito bite
Mosquitoes that spread chikungunya usually bite during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon or evening.
In rare cases, transmission is from mother to new-born baby around the time of birth.

Symptoms

Sudden fever, often with joint pain.
Other symptoms include headache, nausea, tiredness and rash.
Joint pain is often severe.
It lasts for several days, but may last much longer.
Most people with chikungunya get better and return to normal, but sometimes joint pain continues for months or even years.
In older people, chikungunya can contribute to the cause of death.

Prevention

Prevention of mosquito bites by placing insect screens on windows and doors and personal protection (application of repellents, wearing
long sleeved clothes, etc.)
Community clean-up campaigns to remove rubbish and cover water containers
Elimination of mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water, fogging, and applying larvicides
Social mobilization and behaviour change communication

Vulnerable people

Older people
People with medical conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease)
New-born babies infected around the time of birth

If an epidemic occurs

Increase community-based surveillance
Rapidly detect and refer serious cases to health facilities
Increase social mobilization and behaviour change communication
Promote community clean-up campaigns to remove rubbish and cover water containers
Encourage prevention of mosquito bites by placing insect screens on windows and doors and wearing personal protection (apply repellents, wear long sleeved clothes, etc.)
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water, fogging, and applying larvicides
Encourage young children and people who sleep during the day to sleep under a mosquito net (if windows and doors are not screened)

Community-based assessment - questions

Make a map of the community and mark the information you gather on the map. Record other details.

When did people start to fall sick with chikungunya?
How many people have fallen sick with chikungunya? Where?
How many people have died? Where?
How many people live in the affected community or area? How many children under five years of age live in the area?
Who and where are the vulnerable people?
Are children under five most affected? Or are other age groups, occupations, etc., more affected?
Do people usually cover their water containers (inside and outside)?
How many houses have insect screens on the windows and doors?
What are the community’s habits, practices and beliefs regarding use of repellents, sprays, etc.?
How does the community usually dispose of rubbish and solid waste?
Have the authorities established a vector control programme?
Where are the local health facilities and services? (Include traditional and community carers.)
What are the community’s habits, practices and beliefs about caring for and feeding sick people? When babies and infants are sick, do women continue to breastfeed them?
Is a social mobilization or health promotion programme in place?
Which sources of information do people use most?
Are rumours or is misinformation about the disease spreading in the community?

Volunteer actions

01. Community-based surveillance 02. Community mapping 03. Communicating with the community 04. Referral to health facilities 05. Volunteer protection and safety 12. Managing fever 19. Psychosocial support 36. Vector control 37. Mosquito nets 38. Waste disposal and clean-up campaigns 43. Social mobilization and behaviour change