Study: Chik-V May Cause Serious Brain Infection in Some People
The mosquito-borne virus chikungunya more popularly known as Chik-V ravaged Jamaica as it swept through several islands in the caribbean last year and reportedly resulted in a 6 billion dollar loss for the country’s economy.
A study published by the Neurology Journal, has suggested that the virus may lead to severe brain infection and even death in infants and people over age 65.
Approximately 300,000 persons were afflicted with the virus on Reunion Island.
Researchers examined whether people with neurological symptoms at the onset of chik-V, were still affected three years later.
A total of 24 people had encephalitis that was associated with the chikungunya virus, for a cumulative incidence rate of 8.6 per 100,000 people.
The study concluded that encephalitis was more likely to occur in infants and people over age 65.
The incidence rate in infants was 187 per 100,000 people and 37 per 100,000 in people over age 65.
An estimated 30-45 per cent of the infected persons with encephalitis had persisting disabilities.
The disabilities included behavioral changes and problems with thinking and memory skills in infants and post-infectious dementia in previously healthy adults.
One of the authors of the study, Dr Patrick Gérardin, reportedly said the consequences of this encephalitis seem to be particularly harmful in newborns.
There is no vaccine to treat chikungunya.
The study also concluded that in the context of a large outbreak, Chikungunya is a significant cause of central nervous system disease.
[h/t Jamaica Gleaner]