London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine LSHTM expert Dr Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya discusses chikungunya virus, and the factors driving a rise in cases in several countries, including China
Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya is an Assistant Professor and a Peter Piot Fellow for Global Health Innovation: Epidemic Preparedness and Response at the LSHTM Centre for Epidemic Preparedness and Response. She is based at The Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit within the Viral Pathogens Research theme, where she studies the epidemiology of alphaviruses including Chikungunya and Onyong’nyong. She receives additional supervision through the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
We asked Dr Nyamwaya about chikungunya and why we are seeing outbreaks.
What is chikungunya and how is it spread?
Chikungunya is an acute illness caused by mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. The infection typically presents with a sudden onset of fever and debilitating joint pain. Other symptoms include headache, rash, muscle pain, nausea and in some cases, prolonged joint symptoms or neurological complications.