Human- Mosquito – Human transmission

    The Chikungunya fever epidemics are sustained by human-mosquito-human transmission; the epidemic cycle is similar to those of dengue and urban yellow fever. Large outbreaks of Chikungunya fever have been reported recently on several islands in the Indian Ocean and in India. Chikungunya fever cases also have been reported in travelers returning from known outbreak areas to Europe, Canada, the Caribbean (Martinique), and South America.

     Few cases of Chikungunya fever were diagnosed serologically and virologically, introduced through infection of local mosquitoes by a person with viremia.

     Cigar- shaped eggs are laid on the moist walls of water containers in artificial accumulations of water. The larvae hatch from the eggs and live in water for about 5-7 Days. Since water is essential for first eight days during lifecycle of mosquito, emptying containers at lease once a week will greatly reduce the risk of fever.

     The female mosquito lay eggs in artificial accumulation of water in and around homes. The male mosquitoes never bite. The adult female bite only during daytime. It bites between 0800-1300 hours and mid afternoon 1500-1700 hrs.

     Person who stay indoors during day time are vulnerable to mosquito bites, since female Aedes mosquito prefer to rest indoors and in dark places.