CHIK-V in Italy (notice the rhyme)

Italy's coastal regions are facing an all to well-known challenge at the moment. Since mid-2007, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has occupied Europe; more specifically, it has caused repeated, noticeable epidemics in Italy over the past decade. Italy's northeastern Emilia-Romagna region experienced the first autochthonous epidemic (See article here). Indeed, in the past, imported cases of CHIKV into Italy from sub-equatorial locations have been identified as potential causes of epidemics, generating a demand for caution in travel and rapid diagnosis (Article here).

What is CHIKV? Chikungunya virus is a arthopod (mosquito)-borne and transmitted virus, infecting Aedes aegypti and albopictus via priorly infected humans (who got it from other infected mosquitoes). Unexpectedly, it's not a flavivvirus, but instead, an alphavirus in the Togaviridae. CHIKV is prominent in southeastern Asia, Latin America (including the Carribean), tropical regions of Africa, and heavily coasted areas of Europe and the Arabian peninsula. Infection causes debilitating illness (usually 3-7 days after being bitten) marked by fever, join pain and swelling (very common), body aches, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms.

Hop to modern day and modern news: the CDC has issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens traveling to certain regions of Italy. (Ah, how the page has turned). Italy has reported more than 180 locally acquired cases of CHIKV in the coastal regions of Anzio, Latina, and Rome. This local transmission implies that the mosquito population there is infected and can continue to sustain the virus for some time. Italian government officials have combatted the spread of disease by spraying, disseminating information, and educating people about mosquito bite prevention, especially noting at risk populations (pregnant women, old people, people with arthritis, etc).

So, before you go check out Rome this season, check out the CDC's warning advisory!


I'll Chikigun-see-ya later ;)

Javarcia Ivory