Chikungunya Virus (Chikv): General Characteristics and Possible Impact on Hemotherapy

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to the Alphavirus genus of the Togaviridae family. The virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitos, the most important of which are A. aegypti and A. albopictus. CHIKV emerged in Africa but subsequent epidemics in the Indian Ocean led to viral dissemination in Asia. Although, some imported CHIKV cases were observed in various countries of the American continent, the virus demonstrated autochthonous transmission for the first time in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin in 2013. Consequently, CHIKV was rapidly spread to all Antilles and to continental America. In the majority of the cases, CHIKV causes abrupt illness with high fever and severe arthralgia. This virus causes explosive outbreaks with high morbidity and, in some cases, mortality.