ARS | Publication request: Chikungunya on an island off the coast of Kenya: Impact on the health of the global community and potential development of an early warning system for U.S.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 11, 2007
Publication Date: November 11, 2007
Citation: Linthicum, K., Anyamba, A., Small, J., Tucker, C.J., Chretien, J., Brieman, R., Hightower, A., Njenga, M., Sang, R., Formenty, P., Britch, S.C. 2007. Chikungunya on an island off the coast of Kenya: Impact on the health of the global community and potential development of an early warning system for U.S. Florida Mosquito Control Association's 79th Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL on November 11-14, 2007.

Technical Abstract: An epidemic of chikungunya fever, a viral disease transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes, affected hundreds of thousands of people in western Indian Ocean islands and India during 2005—2007, and has caused out outbreak in Italy transmitted by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. This is the first reported outbreak in a temperate country. The initial outbreaks occurred in coastal Kenya (Lamu, then Mombasa) in 2004. The eco-climatic conditions associated with chikungunya emergence along coastal Kenya using epidemiologic investigations and satellite data have been evaluated. Unusually dry, warm conditions preceded the outbreaks, including the driest since 1998 for some of the coastal regions. Infrequent replenishment of domestic water stores and elevated temperatures may have facilitated chikungunya virus transmission. These results suggest that drought-affected populations may be at heightened risk for chikungunya fever, and underscore the need for safe water storage during drought relief operations. There is a need to the global community to develop early warning systems for arboviruses.