International Medical Corps is helping fight a fast-spreading Chikungunya outbreak in eastern Sri Lanka's Ampara District. So far, health authorities speak of 10-15,000 suspected cases in an area where thousands are still living in crowded camps after their homes were destroyed during the tsunami. Chikungunya is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes and characterized by severe, sometimes long-lasting, joint pain, fever, and rash. New cases are being reported in the nearby district of Trincomalee, home to large numbers of people displaced by the ongoing civil strife in the country.

Gareth Price-Jones, IMC's country director in Sri Lanka, said IMC would play what he called "an effective and appropriate role" in bringing the outbreak under rapid control.

"Our job, particularly in Trincomalee District, where the ongoing conflict hampers response efforts, is to support the Sri Lankan health authorities as they work to both treat and prevent the spread of the disease."

Chikungunya is not life-threatening but very painful. Full recovery can take months, resulting in serious loss of income for its victims. With the rainy season approaches, more people are in danger.

Information and Education - Key in the Fight against Chikungunya

As tsunami survivors continue to struggle to piece together their lives, the added burden of the Chikungunya outbreak is disrupting already overstretched healthcare systems. People are flooding clinics and hospitals, preventing health workers from providing routine, basic care. Since the 2004 tsunami, IMC has worked closely with health authorities, moving from emergency assistance to providing the training and tools for local communities to cope on their own. This long-term commitment has enabled IMC to respond quickly to the outbreak. With the support of the International Medical Corps, six local health professionals have trained 150 community volunteers who, in turn, will inform the local population about how to protect themselves against mosquito bites that lead to Chikungunya infections. IMC will also support the Ampara health authorities to kick start a wide-spread information campaign.

Preventing New Cases

IMC has provided 7,500 syringes to local hospitals to help them administer immediate treatment of symptoms like severe pain and fever. Because there is no vaccine available, IMC and local authorities are focusing on preventative measures to contain the disease, advising people to remove open containers with standing water, the main breeding ground for the so called Tiger mosquito that carries the Chikungunya virus. IMC has also called for donations to help clear rubbish, drain canals, and educate people in order to prevent a further spread of the disease.

What is Chikungunya?

The term Chikungunya is derived from Mokonde for 'that which bends up', referring to the severe joint pain associated with the disease. It can only be transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Because these mosquitoes are active during daylight hours, almost everybody is a potential victim. Dormant for over 20 years, Chikungunya is now widespread in India, Sri Lanka, and various Indian Ocean islands, including the Comoros, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles. According to the World Health Organization, over 1.25 million cases have been reported in India alone. Though not deadly, Chikungunya can be extremely painful and is a huge burden on local health services. It threatens the livelihood, particularly of the poor, due to the long recovery time. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends prevention and mosquito control as the most successful measures against Chikungunya epidemics.

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