It's a disease with an exotic name, painful symptoms and no treatment or vaccine. It's endemic in Asia and Africa, and it recently spread to the Americas -- where nearly 1 million people have been infected and 150 have died. Here, a doctor examines a patient in El Salvador for signs of Chikungunya.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
It's a disease with an exotic name, painful symptoms and no treatment or vaccine. It's endemic in Asia and Africa, and it recently spread to the Americas -- where nearly 1 million people have been infected and 150 have died. Here, a doctor examines a patient in El Salvador for signs of Chikungunya.
Courtesy Jose Cabezasa/Getty Images
The Chikungunya virus is spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, which are local to the Americas.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
The Chikungunya virus is spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, which are local to the Americas.
Courtesy Christophe Simona
Blood tests are the only means of confirming infection with Chikungunya.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
Blood tests are the only means of confirming infection with Chikungunya.
Courtesy PAHO
People living in affected regions are advised to sleep under bed nets to avoid being bitten by infected mosqutoes.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
People living in affected regions are advised to sleep under bed nets to avoid being bitten by infected mosqutoes.
Courtesy PAHO
Workers from Haiti's Ministry of Public Health and Population spray chemicals to exterminate mosquitoes. Mosquito control is the main strategy used to prevent further spread of disease.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
Workers from Haiti's Ministry of Public Health and Population spray chemicals to exterminate mosquitoes. Mosquito control is the main strategy used to prevent further spread of disease.
Courtesy PAHO
A police officer fumigates against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Honduras.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
A police officer fumigates against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Honduras.
Courtesy PAHO
Shallow water surfaces are being removed to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites.
Global rise in Chikungunya infections —
Shallow water surfaces are being removed to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites.
Courtesy PAHO