Challenges in diagnosis and control of Chikungunya virus infection: A review

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in humans causing severe musculoskeletal pain, fever and rashes, is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus. CHIKV has resulted in 18.7 million cases worldwide till 2020 and after 2004 has spread to Europe, Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran) and Pacific regions. This rapid spread of CHIKV emphasizes the pivotal need of enforcing control measures and examining new diagnostic methods. As the mosquito vectors (Aedes) of CHIKV are evolving, vector control methods are losing its efficacy. Further, existing serological and molecular assays to detect CHIKV show variabilities in sensitivity and specificity, leading to mis-reporting or under-reporting of CHIKV cases in affected regions. In this review article, we start by discussing CHIKV infection, followed by an introduction to currently available control and detection methods. We further highlight the challenges these methods pose and how they can be conquered by employing various easy and sustainable strategies. This review may provide valuable information for the development of novel diagnostic strategies in resource limited settings for mitigating CHIKV disease.

Keywords

Chikungunya virus / Vaccine development / Vector / Neglected tropical disease / Arbovirus / Outbreak / Emerging disease

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