CNBC TV18
By Priyanka Deshpande
Published Feb 14, 2024
Chikungunya virus raises death risk for up to three months’ post-infection, says Lancet study.
Post-acute infection, virus-infected individuals remain at risk of complications, extending beyond the usual 14-day period.
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In the initial week, infected individuals faced an eightfold higher death risk compared to unexposed individuals. Even at three months’ post-infection, they remained twice as likely to die from complications, as per the researchers.
The study revealed patients faced higher death risks from cardiovascular conditions like ischemic heart disease, metabolic issues, and kidney diseases, regardless of age or gender.
Although most patients recover, Chikungunya disease can be fatal. The study reported over 400 deaths among approximately 500,000 recorded cases worldwide in 2023.
Researchers highlighted that Aedes-borne diseases, including chikungunya, are expected to rise in occurrence and spread due to climate change, urbanisation, and increased human mobility, posing a growing threat to public health.
No preventive medications or specific post-infection treatments exist for Chikungunya currently. However, the world's first vaccine gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in November last year.
The researchers analysed almost 150,000 (1.5 lakh) recorded chikungunya infections using data from the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort.
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