Latest news with #DianaRojasAlvarez
Canada News.Net
5 days ago
- Health
- Canada News.Net
WHO raises alarm over fast-spreading chikungunya virus
GENEVA, Switzerland: Health authorities are facing a resurgence of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, with new outbreaks emerging across continents and rising infections in Europe, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue an urgent global warning. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, said an estimated 5.6 billion people in 119 countries now live in areas at risk of chikungunya, which can lead to high fever, intense joint pain, and, in some cases, long-term disability. "We are seeing history repeating itself," Rojas Alvarez told reporters in Geneva, drawing comparisons to the 2004–2005 epidemic that began on small Indian Ocean islands and eventually spread worldwide, affecting nearly half a million people. The current wave began in early 2025, once again hitting the islands of La Reunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius, areas that were among the first affected two decades ago. In La Reunion alone, about one-third of the population has already been infected, she said. From the islands, the virus has moved to parts of Africa, including Madagascar, Somalia, and Kenya, and is now seeing epidemic-level transmission in South and Southeast Asia, including India. The growing number of imported cases in Europe and recent evidence of local mosquito-driven transmission have especially alarmed public health officials. Since May 1, France has recorded around 800 imported cases of chikungunya. More concerning, however, are twelve episodes of local transmission in southern regions of the country, meaning infections occurred from mosquitoes within France, rather than from travel abroad. Italy has also confirmed a locally transmitted case in the past week. Chikungunya is spread mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, including the day-biting tiger mosquito, which also transmits other illnesses such as dengue and Zika. The virus has no specific treatment, making prevention critical. WHO urges the use of insect repellents, long-sleeved clothing, and other protective measures to reduce mosquito bites and prevent outbreaks. WHO warns that without swift and coordinated action, the world could see a repeat of the global crisis that unfolded 20 years ago.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
What is chikungunya? Symptoms and travel advice as cases rise in France
Health authorities are warning travellers of a mosquito-borne virus that can cause debilitating joint pain, after cases emerged in areas of France. While the virus known as chikungunya is more commonly found in tropical areas of the world, cases have now appeared in France, a popular holiday destination for Brits, especially during the summer months. The World Health Organisation has now raised its concern about the virus, giving new guidelines to healthcare providers on how to help those who have contracted chikungunya. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva that an estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus. This year so far, France has reported 30 cases of chikungunya virus on the mainland and the French island of Corsica. Italy has reported one. While Europe is not currently experiencing a severe outbreak, health officials on the continent are making travellers aware of the virus as well as the rollout of a new vaccine in the UK. We have rounded up what travellers need to know about the virus, plus advice from a specialist travel doctor on how to best prepare for travelling overseas. What is chikungunya and how is it spread? Chikungunya virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease that is found across tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is spread to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito. It cannot be passed from human to human. Most cases have been found in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Brazil has the most cases, with over 141,000, followed by Argentina with over 2,500 so far in 2025. In total, there have been approximately 220,000 chikungunya cases and 80 related deaths across 14 countries/territories since the beginning of the year. La Réunion and Mayotte, two French islands off the east coast of Africa, have ongoing outbreaks of chikungunya, with the former recording 51,000 cases as of May 2025. The transmission of dengue and chikungunya virus in mainland Europe has been linked by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to travellers who have caught the virus outside the region, then gone to countries within Europe with mosquitoes that are able to carry the virus after biting the person. 'The risk of locally acquired chikungunya and dengue virus transmissions is therefore increasing,' the ECDC said. What are the symptoms? 'Chikungunya' comes from a word used by the Makonde people in Tanzania, where the disease was first discovered in the 1950s, which means 'that which bends up'. This describes the contorted posture of infected people who experience severe joint pain. Alongside joint pain, people can also experience an abrupt onset of fever, joint swelling, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue and rashes. The joint pain can be debilitating and usually lasts for a few days, but it has been known to last for weeks, months or even years. If an infected person does not experience joint pain, the symptoms will be mild and can go unrecognised as chikungunya. Most people will recover fully from the infection. There have been some occasional cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications, while newborns and older people with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of severe disease. Patients with severe disease should be hospitalised because of the risk of organ damage or death. Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, they are likely to be immune to future chikungunya infections. Is there a vaccine? The UK government has approved vaccines against chikungunya disease, containing a form of the virus that has been weakened so it cannot multiply. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognise the virus, which will then produce specific antibodies to attack it. It can only be obtained via a prescription and given to those who plan to travel abroad where the virus is present. Last month, the government released a further announcement to say that the Commission on Human Medicines has temporarily restricted the use of the vaccine in people aged 65 and over as a precautionary measure. To prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the World Health Organisation advises using insecticides; wearing clothing that minimises skin exposure; using window and door screens, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets; and applying certain repellants to skin and clothing. A travel doctor's guide on being prepared Dr Richard Dawood, a travel medical specialist at Fleet Street Clinic, explained to The Independent how the vaccination can help travellers prevent getting sick from the chikungunya virus. He said: 'This is a new situation for us. Until a very short time ago, we had no vaccine, and the only approach to prevention was to make careful use of insect repellents and insect precautions. 'So now we've got this extra tool in the armoury, and because the vaccine gives long-lasting protection, it's something that could be considered if you are planning to travel over a period of time. 'It's a fairly expensive vaccine, but if you're going to be travelling over a period of years to Southern Europe and beyond, it may be something that could be considered.' When asked about getting the vaccination for a trip to France, Mr Dawood advised to look at the decision in terms of where you will be travelling over the next few years rather than in the context of a single trip. 'The risk from a one-off short trip to France is probably very small,' he said. 'There's been only a very small number of cases so far. So statistically, you're not very likely to, but over time, as somebody who loves to travel and loves going to hot countries, then I would probably want to be protected against it in the long term.' Wherever you are travelling, Mr Dawood advised holidaymakers to 'do your homework'. He said: 'If there's an actual outbreak at your destination, then I would say no hesitation, definitely have the vaccine. 'Taking a bit of time and getting some really focused travel health advice for your particular trip is very worthwhile because it can save you from getting a vaccine that you don't need or that may not be sensible for you, and it can help prioritise the really important things for your trip.
Local Germany
6 days ago
- Health
- Local Germany
EXPLAINED: Should people in Germany be worried about the chikungunya virus?
This week WHO spokesperson Diana Rojas Alvarez told the press in Geneva that chikungunya has been detected in 119 countries around the world, including Germany, 'putting 5.6 billion people at risk.' Rojas Alvarez added that her organisation was 'sounding the alarm early so that countries can prepare in time.' The chikungunya virus is mainly transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, the same species that also spread the dengue and Zika viruses. Recent reports indicate that a person has contracted the chikungunya virus in Alsace, just a few meters from the German border. Talking to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , Hendrik Wilking, head of Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said that chikungunya infections have been observed repeatedly among travellers returning to Germany and are on the rise. 'But what is worrying is that we must also expect outbreaks that are not associated with travel, even in Germany,' Wilking added. According to a report in Der Spiegel, 15 imported cases of chikungunya were registered in Baden-Württemberg alone in the first six months of 2025, a five-fold increase on the same period last year. What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is an infectious disease which is primarily transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. The most common symptoms are high fever and severe joint pain, often in the wrists, ankles, and knees. Other possible symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, rash, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes gastrointestinal or eye symptoms. The name itself is a reference to the symtoms. In Makonde, a language spoken by the Bantu people in southeastern Tanzania, chikungungya means 'the one who walks bent over'. The joint pain can be very severe and may last for months or even years, although most people recover within a week. The disease can be life-threatening for older people and people with underlying health problems. People generally develop symptoms three to seven days after being bitten, but the incubation period can range from two to 12 days. There is no person-to-person transmission. The virus can only be transmitted by mosquito bites. Advertisement How did the virus come to Germany? The WHO's warning of an epidemic is linked to high levels of global trade and travel, as well as climate change. More tropical mosquitoes are reaching Germany via transport links, and more are able to survive in the country as a result of warmer temperatures. While the chikungunya virus originally only caused infections in tropical and subtropical regions, there have been around 800 imported chikungunya cases in neighbouring France since May – as well as 12 recorded instances of local transmission. READ ALSO: Hotels, transport and food: How the cost of travel in Germany is rising this summer Tiger and yellow fever mosquitoes, which were previously non-existent in Germany, are now widespread in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse, having migrated along the main highways from southern and south-eastern Europe. Researchers identified tiger mosquito populations in the southern German states for the second time in 2012. The first time they were recorded in the country was in 2007. Mosquito and other pest species that are native to warmer climates are moving further north as weather conditions warm due to climate change, increasing the risk that diseases like chikungunya will become endemic in Central Europe. The risk of major outbreaks in Europe remains small Advertisement The risk of major outbreaks in Central Europe is not particularly high at present, however. The pathogen is not yet native to the region and has only been introduced by travellers so far. READ ALSO: The check-ups you can get in Germany with statutory health insurance Two vaccines against the virus have been approved by Germany's Standing Commission on Vaccines (STIKO). The commission currently recommends vaccination for people travelling to outbreak areas or to endemic areas repeatedly or for more than four weeks, but not for the general population.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts warn of another global epidemic as rare virus spreads to new areas
The World Health Organization has issued an urgent call for action as cases of chikungunya virus explode across the globe. The chikungunya virus is spread primarily by the Aedes mosquito species and nearly half a million people became infected between 2004 and 2005 - leading to a worldwide epidemic. Chikungunya infections are most common in Asia, Africa and South America though more recently cases have also emerged across Europe and the US. The virus can cause symptoms like fever, joint pain and life-threatening complications related to the heart and brain. The infection does not spread from person to person through bodily contact or saliva and can only be transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito. Since there is no specific medical treatment for the chikungunya infections, experts are asking people to regularly use insect repellents and wear long-sleeve clothing to prevent mosquito bites this summer Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the who said of the new cases: 'We are seeing history repeating itself,' referencing the 2004-2005 epidemic. The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the Indian Ocean islands of La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, there have been about 220,000 Chikungunya virus cases and 80 related deaths in 14 countries since the beginning of 2025. An estimated one-third of La Reunion's population - nearly 300,000 people - have already been infected, according to Rojas Alvarez. During the last epidemic, about 266,000 people were infected out of which 203 died on La Reunion. The virus has also spread to Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya and India and is making its way to Europe. There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said. Out of the 800 cases, 12 of the infected people had been bitten by local mosquitoes without having travelled to high-risk areas in several southern French regions. The chikungunya outbreak has occurred far earlier in the year than is typical, and this could indicate the mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are becoming increasingly at home in France thanks to climate change, officials warned. Two cases have also been reported in Italy this week and both people were infected within the country rather than abroad, according to the Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro. In June of this year, Australian vacationers were issued a warning AS The Cook Islands, a nation in the South Pacific, declared the most recent outbreak of the disease after 19 cases were recorded. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. As of July 16, two dozen cases of chikungunya infections in the US that had been contracted while traveling to high-risk areas have been reported by the CDC. While it remains unclear where patients contracted the virus, the federal agency has issued an elevated risk of exposure notice for Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. Approximately 200 cases of the virus were reported in 2024 in the US. According to the CDC, chikungunya was rarely identified in American travelers before 2006. However between 2006– and 2013, nearly 30 people tested positive for the infection every year in the US. All were travelers visiting or returning to the US from affected areas in Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean. In 2014, 2,799 cases, out of which 12 were locally-acquired, were reported in various US states including Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands - marking the year as the highest ever. Though not fatal, chikungunya can cause a range of effects, which are primarily marked by a sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain, while other common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rashes. While the acute phase of the illness usually resolves within a week or two, the joint pain can persist for weeks, months or even years in some individuals. However, in some cases, infections can progress to severe dengue, which can cause potentially life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage, and death. In extreme cases, eye, heart and neurological complications have also been reported in people suffering from a chikungunya infection. Newborns, adults aged 65 and older and people with certain health conditions are also at the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure due to an infection. While the virus cannot be transmitted directly from person to person, people can become infected with chikungunya when mosquitoes feed on another infected person and then bite them. If a pregnant woman is infected around the time of delivery, the baby can also be infected at birth, which often results in severe disease in the baby. While there is no medication to treat a chikungunya infection, its symptoms can be managed by taking acetaminophen for pain and drinking lots of fluids. In late 2023, the FDA also approved a vaccine for chikungunya for people over the age of 18 who are at increased risk of exposure to the virus called IXCHIQ.
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
WHO urges action as mosquito-borne chikungunya spreads
The World Health Organisation has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that swept the globe two decades ago, as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents. An estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability, Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer, told reporters in Geneva. "We are seeing history repeating itself," she said, drawing parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic, which affected nearly half a million people, primarily in small island territories, before spreading around the world. The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. An estimated one-third of Reunion's population has already been infected, Rojas Alvarez said. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, including India. Of particular concern is the increasing number of imported cases and recent local transmission within Europe. There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said. Twelve local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy. Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the "tiger mosquito" which also transmits dengue, and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing. The World Health Organisation has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that swept the globe two decades ago, as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents. An estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability, Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer, told reporters in Geneva. "We are seeing history repeating itself," she said, drawing parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic, which affected nearly half a million people, primarily in small island territories, before spreading around the world. The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. An estimated one-third of Reunion's population has already been infected, Rojas Alvarez said. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, including India. Of particular concern is the increasing number of imported cases and recent local transmission within Europe. There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said. Twelve local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy. Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the "tiger mosquito" which also transmits dengue, and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing. The World Health Organisation has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that swept the globe two decades ago, as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents. An estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability, Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer, told reporters in Geneva. "We are seeing history repeating itself," she said, drawing parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic, which affected nearly half a million people, primarily in small island territories, before spreading around the world. The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. An estimated one-third of Reunion's population has already been infected, Rojas Alvarez said. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, including India. Of particular concern is the increasing number of imported cases and recent local transmission within Europe. There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said. Twelve local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy. Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the "tiger mosquito" which also transmits dengue, and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing. The World Health Organisation has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that swept the globe two decades ago, as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents. An estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability, Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer, told reporters in Geneva. "We are seeing history repeating itself," she said, drawing parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic, which affected nearly half a million people, primarily in small island territories, before spreading around the world. The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. An estimated one-third of Reunion's population has already been infected, Rojas Alvarez said. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, including India. Of particular concern is the increasing number of imported cases and recent local transmission within Europe. There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said. Twelve local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy. Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the "tiger mosquito" which also transmits dengue, and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing.
