Prevent Chik

Menu

DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES

  • The diagnosis of chikungunya remains a challenge because of its non-specific clinical manifestations.6
    • Some symptoms such as headache,nausea, fatigue and rash overlap with other infections.6
    • However, some symptoms can prompt suspicion of chikungunya and facilitate diagnosis, such as joint swelling and muscle pain.10
  • The disease also shares common symptoms with malaria, typhoid and dengue.11
  • The differential diagnosis of chikungunya varies based on place of residence, travel history and exposures.12

In settings of chikungunya co-transmission with other mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and zika, a presumptive diagnosis of chikungunya was correct in

ONLY 10 TO 40%

OF CASES.13

The diagnosis of chikungunya cannot be confirmed based solely on clinical findings. Similar to other arboviruses, confirmed diagnosis of chikungunya is obtained through molecular and/or serological methods.13

DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH13

SUSPECT IF…

  • Acute onset of fever >38oC
  • Severe arthralgia or arthritis not explained by other medical conditions
  • Resident of or visitor to endemic areas within two weeks prior to onset of symptoms

CONFIRM WHEN…

  • Suspected case
    AND
  • Positive result in any specific CHIKV test (viral isolation, molecular assay, anti-CHIKV IgM, seroconversion or 4-fold rise in anti-CHIKV antibodies between acute and convalescent samples)
Adapted from Natrajan et al. (2019)
Learn more about who may be at risk of chikungunya.
RISK TO TRAVELLERS