Brazil Leads Chikungunya Worldwide Concern

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on June 2, 2022, the South American country Brazil continues reporting Chikungunya (CHIKV) cases and related fatalities.

The ECDC confirmed as of June 2, 2022, 113,052 CHIKV cases and 14 fatalities have been reported.

Most cases have been reported by Brazil (92,349), and all deaths have been reported from Brazil (14).

The five countries reporting CHIKV cases in 2022 other than Brazil are India (18,519), Paraguay (278), Malaysia (85), and Guatemala (83).

According to the U.S. CDC, Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to humans.

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on viremic nonhuman or human primates, which are likely the main amplifying reservoirs of the virus.

In 2014, CHIKV cases were reported among U.S. travelers returning from affected areas in the Americas.

Local transmission has been identified in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Currently, The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

However, a chikungunya vaccine candidate is conducting a late-stage phase 3 study for use in Brazil.

Valneva SE's VLA1553 is a monovalent, single dose, live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine candidate.

The VLA1553 vaccine program was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA in December 2018.

Note: This information was manually curated for mobile readership.