Brief History : Chikungunya was first reported in 1952, during an outbreak in southern Tanzania. It has now been identified in 60 countries including those in Africa, Europe, America, Asia-Indian subcontinent and others. The word Chikungunya, derived from a local Kimakonde language spoken by the indigenous people of southern Tanzania, itself means that which is twisted/contorted. It refers to the twisted/contorted position taken by people affected by joint pains.
What is Chikungunya ? : Chikungunya is a viral disease. It causes fever, severe joint pain and rashes on the body. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus i.e. it is an arthropod borne virus and is a member of the genus Alphavirus, in the family Togaviridae.
Mode of transmission : Chikungunya is transferred from human to human by mosquito bites. The females of Aedes Aegyptii and Aedes albopictus are the main species of mosquito that spread the disease. These mosquitoes bite through out the day. These mosquitoes can be easily identified by white zebra markings on them. It is not a contagious disease like that of Dengue and Swine Flu.