Niue confirms chikungunya death

Niue has confirmed a 22-year-old woman has died of the chikungunya virus, after health officials received results from tests done in New Zealand.

Chikungunya claims life in Niue Photo: AFP / USDA

The death last month was the first recorded case of chikungunya in Niue.

The victim died four days after returning from a two-week holiday in Samoa and the Niue Health Department says the virus was detected through health surveillance checks for arriving passengers at the airport.

It says the World Health Organisation has been advised of the situation in Niue, as part of its regional surveillance network for mosquito-borne diseases.

The Department also says it is pushing for the public to eradicate mosquito breeding areas, and to be vigilant when travelling to countries reported to be affected by mosquito-borne diseases.

What is chikungunya virus?

• Pronounced chik-en-gun-ye, the virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus. They bite mostly during the daytime.
• The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain though victims may also suffer headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and a rash. They normally develop three to seven days after being bitten.
• Outbreaks have occurred across the globe, including countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat the infection but it is rare for the virus to result in death. The symptoms, however, can be severe and disabling. Most patients feel better in a week but for some the joint pain can persist for months.
• People most at risk include babies infected around the time of birth, older adults (+65 years) and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
• The best protection is using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants. The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying in air-conditioned accommodation.
• To decrease the symptoms: get plenty of rest; drink fluids to prevent dehydration; take medicines such as as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.

Source: CDC