Mr. Lu, a resident of Foshan, Guangdong Province, never expected that he would be "hit" by the current outbreak of chikungunya fever after finishing grilled meat the night before and suddenly experiencing severe joint pain the next day. I thought it was gout. At first, he thought it was just gout discomfort, but it wasn't until the rash spread all over his body and his wrist was so painful that he couldn't hold a cup that he realized the problem. At the hospital, the doctor told him that the virus transmitted by the "flower mosquito" (Aedes mosquito) is called the "chikungunya virus". What is chikungunya fever? Can it be transmitted from person to person? What is the difference between dengue fever and dengue fever? How to prevent it? In response to the above issues, the reporter interviewed experts from the Prevention and Control Institute of the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Question 1: What is "chikungunya fever"? According to online sources, "Kikonganya" originates from a local language in southern Tanzania, Africa, meaning "to make one bend over and back", describing the posture of a patient bending over due to severe joint pain. Experts from the Prevention and Control Institute of the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that chikungunya fever is an acute mosquito borne infectious disease caused by the genus chikungunya in the family of enveloped viruses. Its incubation period is generally 1 to 12 days, usually 3 to 7 days. About 20% to 30% of people who are bitten will develop symptoms, and most people have mild symptoms that can heal on their own. The typical clinical manifestations are fever, joint pain/arthritis, and rash, and the most typical "severe pain of wrist joint compression" often makes patients unable to dress independently. Question 2: Is chikungunya fever transmitted from person to person, and why should infected individuals be isolated? National disease control experts emphasized at the press conference that "chikungunya fever will not be transmitted from person to person through daily contact." However, confirmed patients still need to be hospitalized for mosquito isolation, and it is recommended that designated hospitals install mosquito screens and mosquito nets. This is the key to cutting off the mosquito vector transmission chain. Experts from the Prevention and Control Institute of the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention explained: "The virus load in the blood of patients is highest within one week after the onset of the disease. At this time, if bitten by mosquitoes, the virus will multiply in the mosquito's body for 2-10 days, and then bite healthy people to spread. Isolation is not to prevent human to human transmission, but to prevent 'mosquito to human transmission'. Data shows that under suitable conditions above 30 ℃, Aedes mosquitoes can complete their development from eggs to adults in as fast as 7 days. A mosquito carrying the virus can bite multiple people, which is also an important reason for the short-term spread of this epidemic. Three questions: How to distinguish symptoms of chikungunya fever from dengue fever? It's like being hit in the joint with a hammer! ”Mr. Lu, a resident of Foshan, still has lingering fears when recalling his experience of illness. The main characteristics of chikungunya fever are a high fever of 39 ℃, severe joint pain, and rash, known as the "chikungunya triad". Experts from the Prevention and Control Institute of the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention further stated that chikungunya fever and dengue fever have similar symptoms and are often confused. Both are viral diseases transmitted through mosquito borne mosquitoes, with chikungunya fever "lasting longer" and dengue fever "more dangerous". The danger of dengue fever lies in its severe condition, which may lead to severe bleeding, shock, or even death; Although chikungunya fever is less life-threatening, its characteristic joint pain is often more persistent. Four questions: Which groups of people need to be targeted for prevention? Although the current cases are mild, experts warn that three groups of people, including newborns, the elderly, and chronic disease patients, still need to be highly vigilant about the risk of severe illness. The reason is that for newborns, if the mother is in a viremia stage during delivery, the virus can be transmitted through the birth canal, and serious complications such as myocarditis and encephalitis are prone to occur after infection; For the elderly, immune function declines and infection can easily lead to viral arthritis and pneumonia; For chronic disease patients, hypertension patients may have blood pressure fluctuations after infection, and diabetes patients may have delayed wound healing, increasing the risk of joint disease. Five questions: How to remove the "mosquito factory" hidden in the accumulated water in the flowerpot? The Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an initiative to "clear accumulated water for three minutes every day", paying special attention to mosquito breeding grounds such as flowerpot trays, water dispensers, and aquatic plants at home. Water containers should be inverted or covered to reduce the risk of infection from the source. Suspected of being infected with chikungunya fever, it is advisable to seek medical attention at a formal medical institution as soon as possible and proactively inform the doctor of a history of mosquito bites and travel to the epidemic area. Flower mosquitoes are not scary. This summer, let's work together to build a healthy defense line. (New Society)