Chikungunya Alert: CDC Warns Travellers; Ghana at Risk?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dey warn travellers about chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne disease wey dey spread for parts of Asia, South America, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. According to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, for 2025 alone, over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths don happen worldwide.
For China, Guangdong province dey experience outbreak since June, with over 7,000 confirmed cases. The CDC dey advise people wey dey travel go there to take extra precautions. Other countries wey dey face outbreak dey include Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
But e no be only these countries wey dey worry the CDC. Dem dey ask US residents to shine their eyes when dem dey visit countries like Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Nigeria. Nigeria dey on the list, so Ghana also dey at risk because of close proximity and travel between the two countries.
What be Chikungunya?
Chikungunya be disease wey Aedes mosquitoes dey spread, same mosquitoes wey dey spread dengue and Zika. The World Health Organization (WHO) talk say about 5.6 billion people dey at risk of arboviral diseases like chikungunya.
Symptoms of Chikungunya
- Fever
- Joint pain and swelling
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Rash
How Long E Dey Last?
The sickness usually dey last between two to twelve days after person get infected. Some patients fit get joint pain wey go last for months or even years.
Wetin Ghana Need to Do?
Even though Ghana no dey experience outbreak yet, e dey important to take precautions. Make we keep our environment clean so mosquitoes no go breed, use mosquito repellent, and wear long sleeves and pants when necessary. If you dey travel go any of these countries wey dey at risk, make you consult your doctor for advice.
Ghana health officials need to step up surveillance and public education so we fit protect ourselves from chikungunya.