Chikungunya virus infection

Chikungunya virus is a re-emerging arbovirus widely distributed in the last decade. The virus belongs to the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae. The vectors responsible of the transmission are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the same species that transmit dengue virus. Infection with this virus causes abrupt onset of fever, back pain, myalgia, headache and rash, but the dominant characteristic is the presence of polyarthralgia, with involvement of small and large joints, which can become disabling and in some cases may last for several years. Chikungunya was first isolated in humans, in Tanzania, in 1952, but since 2005 reemerges with important outbreaks in countries of Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean and Europe. In late 2013, the first cases of local transmission of this virus were reported in the Americas. The outbreak began in the Caribbean Islands and from there has spread to other countries in the region, including Colombia. This article is contains different aspects about of this disease for that health workers can provide opportune diagnosis and appropriate management to the patients with chikunguya virus infection.