Chikungunya Virus Infection in Pakistan
03 Mar 2017
On 27 February 2017, WHO reported
a total of 803 cases of chikungunya virus infection since 19 December 2016 in the Sindh province, including 29 cases reported in various towns in Karachi during the week of 10-16 February 2017. Of the 92 samples sent to the National Institute of Health for testing, 71 have been laboratory-confirmed postive for Chikungunya virus.
Advice for Travellers
No vaccine is available against Chikungunya. Avoidance of mosquito bites is the only reliable means of prevention. Methods of bite avoidance include:
- Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin.
- The use of insect repellant containing DEETÂ applied to any exposed skin.
- The use of permethrin, impregnated mosquito nets.
- The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.
- Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around the home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water).