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Africa on Lookout for Chick
ept Warns Public Against Mosquito Disease
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
March 5, 2006
Posted to the web March 6, 2006
Thapelo Sakoana
The Department of Health says it will mount a preventative programme against the chikungunya fever that has hit La Reunion, south east of the Indian Ocean.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 10 000 cases of this fever were reported in La Reunion and neighbouring countries such as Mayotte, Mauritius and Seychelles between March 2005 and February this year.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito.
The name means "that which bends up", a reference to the severe joint pains associated with the infection.
It is mostly found in Africa, south east of Asia, India and the Phillipines.
This illness usually lasts from three to seven days and its symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting as well as pains in the joint and rash.
Aedes albopictus, which is a species of mosquitoes prevalent in these islands, is suspected to be the factor for spreading the unbearable virus.
However, the department said in a statement that this species was not widespread in South Africa.
In the country, it further said, the chikungunya virus is transmitted by Aedes Diceromyia furcifer and Aedes Deceromyia cordellieri that are competent transmitters of yellow fever and dengue fever.
"Fortunately the indigenous Aedes Duceromyia mosquitoes are sparsely found in the wilderness and isolated areas.
"Also, locally, natural transmission cycles of these mosquitoes are confined to lower primates such as baboons and monkeys," said the department.
In the absence of vaccine and anti-viral treatment, the department said it maintained a strict vectoral surveillance and prevention programme to minimise importation risk.
The department said it had been monitoring developments regarding the recent reports in these areas.
The prevention programme would include indoor spraying in high-risk areas, advocacy and public education.
Disinfections control measures would also be implemented at all ports of entry of products imported from the affected areas.
The department said it would also circulate an alert to clinics in high-risk mosquito areas to ensure quick diagnosis and rapid notification of suspected cases.
"We would like to urge medical practitioners to be on the alert and screen suspected patients with an appropriate travel history and to notify the department of any suspected cases," it said.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Health and Medicine
South Africa
International Organizations and Africa
It further appealed to citizens planning to visit any of the affected countries to take necessary precautions to reduce chances of exposure through mosquito bites.
The personal precautions include using mosquito repellents.
Email This Page
Print This Page
Visit The Publisher's Site
BuaNews (Tshwane)
March 5, 2006
Posted to the web March 6, 2006
Thapelo Sakoana
The Department of Health says it will mount a preventative programme against the chikungunya fever that has hit La Reunion, south east of the Indian Ocean.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 10 000 cases of this fever were reported in La Reunion and neighbouring countries such as Mayotte, Mauritius and Seychelles between March 2005 and February this year.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito.
The name means "that which bends up", a reference to the severe joint pains associated with the infection.
It is mostly found in Africa, south east of Asia, India and the Phillipines.
This illness usually lasts from three to seven days and its symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting as well as pains in the joint and rash.
Aedes albopictus, which is a species of mosquitoes prevalent in these islands, is suspected to be the factor for spreading the unbearable virus.
However, the department said in a statement that this species was not widespread in South Africa.
In the country, it further said, the chikungunya virus is transmitted by Aedes Diceromyia furcifer and Aedes Deceromyia cordellieri that are competent transmitters of yellow fever and dengue fever.
"Fortunately the indigenous Aedes Duceromyia mosquitoes are sparsely found in the wilderness and isolated areas.
"Also, locally, natural transmission cycles of these mosquitoes are confined to lower primates such as baboons and monkeys," said the department.
In the absence of vaccine and anti-viral treatment, the department said it maintained a strict vectoral surveillance and prevention programme to minimise importation risk.
The department said it had been monitoring developments regarding the recent reports in these areas.
The prevention programme would include indoor spraying in high-risk areas, advocacy and public education.
Disinfections control measures would also be implemented at all ports of entry of products imported from the affected areas.
The department said it would also circulate an alert to clinics in high-risk mosquito areas to ensure quick diagnosis and rapid notification of suspected cases.
"We would like to urge medical practitioners to be on the alert and screen suspected patients with an appropriate travel history and to notify the department of any suspected cases," it said.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Health and Medicine
South Africa
International Organizations and Africa
It further appealed to citizens planning to visit any of the affected countries to take necessary precautions to reduce chances of exposure through mosquito bites.
The personal precautions include using mosquito repellents.
