Latest news with #chikungunya
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
WHO raises concern about spread of mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus
The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability. (Pixabay pic) GENEVA : The World Health Organisation issued an urgent call for action on Tuesday 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 medical officer at the WHO, 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 La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. An estimated one-third of La 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.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
WHO sounds alarm on risk of chikungunya epidemic
A health worker fumigates insecticide to control mosquito breeding amid dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (EPA Images pic) GENEVA : The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday a major chikungunya virus epidemic risks sweeping around the globe, calling for urgent action to prevent it. The WHO said it was picking up exactly the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago and wanted to prevent a repeat. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. In some cases it can be deadly. 'Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk,' said the WHO's Diana Rojas Alvarez. She recalled how from 2004 to 2005, a major chikungunya epidemic swept across the Indian Ocean, hitting small island territories before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people. 'Today, WHO is seeing the same pattern emerge: since the beginning of 2025, Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius have all reported major chikungunya outbreaks. One-third of the population of Reunion is estimated to have been infected already,' she told a press briefing in Geneva. 'Raising the alarm' The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus disease, making it difficult to diagnose, according to the WHO. Rojas Alvarez said that like 20 years ago, the virus was now spreading to other places in the region, such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya. 'Epidemic transmission is also occurring in south Asia,' she added. In Europe, imported cases have also been reported, linked with the outbreak in the Indian Ocean islands. Local transmission has been reported in France, and suspected cases detected in Italy. 'Because these patterns of transmission were seen in the outbreak from 2004 onwards, WHO is calling for urgent action to prevent history from repeating itself,' said Rojas Alvarez. She noted that the case fatality rate was less than one percent, 'but when you start counting millions of cases, that one percent can be thousands' of deaths. 'We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early, detect and strengthen all the capacities to avoid going through very large outbreaks.' Tiger mosquitos Rojas Alvarez explained that in regions where populations have little or no immunity, the virus can quickly cause significant epidemics, affecting up to three-quarters of the population. Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing farther north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. They bite primarily during daylight hours, with peak activity often in the early morning and late afternoon. The WHO urged people to protect themselves through measures like using mosquito repellent and not leaving water to stagnate in containers such as buckets, where mosquitoes can breed.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
WHO sounds alarm on risk of chikungunya epidemic
GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday a major chikungunya virus epidemic risks sweeping around the globe, calling for urgent action to prevent it. The WHO said it was picking up exactly the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago and wanted to prevent a repeat. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. In some cases it can be deadly. 'Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk,' said the WHO's Diana Rojas Alvarez. She recalled how from 2004 to 2005, a major chikungunya epidemic swept across the Indian Ocean, hitting small island territories before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people. 'Today, WHO is seeing the same pattern emerge: since the beginning of 2025, Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius have all reported major chikungunya outbreaks. One-third of the population of Reunion is estimated to have been infected already,' she told a press briefing in Geneva. 'Raising the alarm' The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus disease, making it difficult to diagnose, according to the WHO. Rojas Alvarez said that like 20 years ago, the virus was now spreading to other places in the region, such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya. 'Epidemic transmission is also occurring in south Asia,' she added. In Europe, imported cases have also been reported, linked with the outbreak in the Indian Ocean islands. Local transmission has been reported in France, and suspected cases detected in Italy. 'Because these patterns of transmission were seen in the outbreak from 2004 onwards, WHO is calling for urgent action to prevent history from repeating itself,' said Rojas Alvarez. She noted that the case fatality rate was less than one percent, 'but when you start counting millions of cases, that one percent can be thousands' of deaths. 'We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early, detect and strengthen all the capacities to avoid going through very large outbreaks.' Tiger mosquitos Rojas Alvarez explained that in regions where populations have little or no immunity, the virus can quickly cause significant epidemics, affecting up to three-quarters of the population. Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing farther north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. They bite primarily during daylight hours, with peak activity often in the early morning and late afternoon. The WHO urged people to protect themselves through measures like using mosquito repellent and not leaving water to stagnate in containers such as buckets, where mosquitoes can breed.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Danger to life' warning issued as two deadly diseases detected at popular holiday destination
A health alert has been issued for British tourists travelling to a popular European destination this summer as two potentially fatal diseases have been detected. In Italy, health authorities have reported the first locally acquired cases of both dengue and chikungunya, mosquito-borne viruses that are typically found in tropical regions like South America and India. Both were previously considered primarily imported diseases, found in individuals who had contracted them abroad. However, the two new cases indicate that the viruses were caught within the country, according to the Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever cases have seen a significant rise globally, reaching a record high in 2024 with over 14 million reported cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In June of this year, Australian holidaymakers were issued a warning after The Cook Islands, a nation in the South Pacific, declared the most recent outbreak of the disease after 19 cases, including two active cases, were recorded. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. In July, Italy reported the first locally acquired case of dengue for the year, specifically in the Emilia Romagna region, while 82 imported cases of the virus were recorded in several regions. Italian health officials also reported the first locally acquired case of Chikungunya for the year, again found in the Emilia-Romagna region. An additional 50 imported cases of the virus were recorded across a number of regions. Earlier this month, holidaymakers jetting off to France were warned they were at risk of contracting chikungunya after eight local cases were recorded. 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, the warning said. 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 rash. 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. Meanwhile, dengue fever can cause a range of effects, including mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and joint pain. 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. Holidaymakers are urged to contact a local health professional immediately if they suspect they have been bitten by a mosquito during their travels. It comes as Hawaii health officials are asking visitors to ensure they are vaccinated against whooping cough as cases reach an all-time high in the state. Earlier this week, the state's Department of Health reported 108 cases of the Victorian-era disease — dubbed the 100-day cough — a stark increase from last year's 84 total cases. According to data from the CDC, about 10,000 cases of the coughing malady and nearly a dozen deaths have already been reported across the country this year.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bavarian Nordic Receives Acceptance from Health Canada for Review of the New Drug Submission for its Chikungunya Vaccine
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 22, 2025 – Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today that Health Canada has accepted for review the Company's application for licensure of the single-dose, virus-like particle (VLP) chikungunya vaccine candidate, CHIKV VLP, for immunization to prevent disease caused by chikungunya virus infection in individuals 12 years of age and older. The application screening acceptance by the Directorate confirms that the New Drug Submission is complete and begins a standard review procedure, potentially supporting approval of the vaccine in the first half of 2026. The New Drug Submission is based on the data, which also supported the recent US, EU and UK approvals of the vaccine, including results from two phase 3 clinical trials which enrolled more than 3,500 healthy individuals 12 years of age and older. The studies met their primary endpoints, with results showing that 21 days after vaccination, the vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies in up to 97.8% of the vaccinated individuals, (97.8% in individuals 12 years to 64 and 87.3% in over 65 year olds). The key secondary endpoint of seroresponse rate at day 8 post vaccination was 46.6% and 96.8% at day 15 in the 12-64 year old population and 82.3% at day 15 for the over 65 population. The vaccine was well-tolerated and vaccine-related adverse events were mainly mild or moderate in nature. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain1,2. Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, said: 'The regulatory submission and acceptance by Health Canada represents yet another highlight in our efforts to expand access to our chikungunya vaccine across the globe. Pending approval, this vaccine will further strengthen our offering for Canadians seeking protection against serious diseases when traveling the world.' About CHIKV VLPCHIKV VLP is a vaccine for the prevention of chikungunya disease in individuals aged 12 years and above. It is designed to induce a robust seroresponse, with protective immunity starting to develop as early as 1 week after vaccination. Pending regulatory approval, CHIKV VLP vaccine will be available in a prefilled syringe. CHIKV VLP does not contain viral genetic material and is therefore non-infectious and unable to cause disease, ensuring a broad range of people can benefit from vaccination. The vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission in February 20253,4 and the United Kingdom in May 20255 under the trade name VIMKUNYA®6. About chikungunyaChikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In the past 20 years, the virus has emerged across several regions in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including many popular travel destinations, often causing large unpredictable outbreaks. Since its discovery, CHIKV has been identified in more than 110 countries, with evidence of transmission confirmed in more than 50 countries over the past five years7. Chikungunya typically presents with acute symptoms, including fever, rash, fatigue, headache, and often severe and incapacitating joint pain. Most patients recover within 1-2 weeks, but 30-40% of those affected may develop chronic arthritis that can last for months or even years8. In 2024, 620,000 cases of chikungunya and over 200 deaths were reported worldwide9. Recent data suggest that chikungunya is severely underreported and often misdiagnosed as dengue fever due to a similar symptom profile10. About Bavarian NordicBavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit Forward-looking statements This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law. Contact investors:Europe: Rolf Sass Sørensen, Vice President Investor Relations, rss@ Tel: +45 61 77 47 43US: Graham Morrell, Gilmartin Group, graham@ Tel: +1 781 686 9600 Contact media:Nicole Seroff, Vice President Corporate Communications, nise@ Tel: +45 53 88 06 031 Richardson JS, et al. Chikungunya Virus VLP Vaccine: Phase 3 Trial in Adolescents and Adults. medRxiv 2024.10.11.24315179. 2 Tindale LC, et al. Chikungunya Virus VLP Vaccine: Phase 3 Trial in Adults ≥65 Years of Age. medRxiv 2024.10.10.24315205. 3 Bavarian Nordic Receives U.S. FDA Approval of Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older. 4 Bavarian Nordic Receives Marketing Authorization in Europe for Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older. 5 Bavarian Nordic Receives Marketing Authorization for Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older in the United Kingdom. 6 Marketed as VIMKUNYA™ in the US. Marketed as VIMKUNYA® in EU and the United Kingdom. 7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Areas at Risk for Chikungunya. 8 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya virus disease. 9 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya virus disease case notification rate per 100 000 population, January 2024-December 2024. 10 Ribas Freitas AR, Pinheiro Chagas AA, Siqueira AM, Pamplona de Góes Cavalcanti L. How much of the current serious arbovirus epidemic in Brazil is dengue and how much is chikungunya? Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024 Apr 30;34:100753. doi: 10.1016/ PMID: 38711542; PMCID: PMC11070701. Attachment 2025-07-22-enError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
