Human Chikungunya Case Confirmed In Madagascar - Reuters

NAIROBI - Madagascar has confirmed its first case of a crippling, mosquito-born disease that has infected more than 180,000 people across the Indian Ocean region, the World Health Organisation said on Monday.


"Chikungunya" fever, for which there is no known cure or vaccine, has infected more than 180,000 people across Mauritius, Seychelles and Reunion, hurting productivity and threatening vital tourist visits.
Though not deadly, the fever is very painful and often causes victims into a stooped posture before they recover.

WHO Country Director Leonard Tapsoba told Reuters one case of chikungunya had been confirmed in the eastern Madagascan town of Toamasina, amidst an outbreak of dengue fever, another less severe mosquito-borne illness. "There is one case of chikungunya confirmed in samples that have been tested from Madagascar," he said. "The others were dengue. What is certain is that there is an outbreak of dengue fever."

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