Estimated relative risks of death from specific causes, comparing groups exposed and not exposed to chikungunya virus disease during each risk period. The relative risk of kidney disease within 28 days of symptom onset could not be estimated because no events occurred in the unexposed group. Deaths due to external causes, which are not causally associated with chikungunya virus disease, were used as a negative control. The x-axis is plotted on a logarithmic scale. Credit: Lancet infectious diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00739-9
People infected with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) still have an increased risk of death from complications up to three months after infection, according to a new study published in Lancet infectious diseases.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. Most often, the virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, more commonly known as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, respectively.
The name chikungunya derives from a Kimakonde language word meaning “to contort”, relating to the severe joint pain and fever associated with the infection. Although most patients recover completely, chikungunya disease can be fatal. Although infections are largely ignored, around 500,000 cases and more than 400 deaths have been recorded worldwide in 2023.
The study team, including researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), analyzed nearly 150,000 chikungunya infections recorded using data from the cohort of 100 million Brazilians.
The results show that people infected with the virus are still at risk of complications even after the acute infection period, which typically lasts 14 days after symptoms appear, ends. In the first week, infected people were eight times more likely to die than unexposed people. They were still twice as likely to die from complications three months after infection.
The authors found that patients had an increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease and metabolic and renal diseases, regardless of age group and gender.
Aedes-borne diseases are expected to increase in frequency and location due to climate change, urbanization and increased human mobility. Thus, chikungunya disease is now considered a growing threat to public health.
There are currently no medications available to prevent chikungunya or any specific treatment after infection. However, the world’s first vaccine was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in November 2023.
Dr Enny Da Paixao Cruz, associate professor at LSHTM and lead author of the study, said: “As chikungunya infections are expected to increase, it is important that health services consider the risks that persist even after the end of the acute phase of infection. »
“This study highlights the urgent need for continued research and development of effective chikungunya treatments and equitable access to approved vaccines in countries experiencing recurrent outbreaks.”
“Strengthening measures to control the spread of mosquitoes carrying the chikungunya virus is also essential to reduce excess mortality associated with the disease.”
More information:
Thiago Cerqueira-Silva et al, Risk of death following chikungunya virus disease in the cohort of 100 million Brazilians, 2015-2018: a matched cohort study and a series of self-controlled cases, Lancet infectious diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00739-9
Provided by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Quote: The risk of death from chikungunya persists for up to three months, according to an analysis (February 13, 2024) retrieved February 13, 2024 from
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