DILI, 25 january 2024 (TATOLI) – The health authorities reported more than 180 people infected in Timor-Leste’s first chikungunya outbreak.
With more than 180 people affected, health authorities issued a health advisory to notify the communities of an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya reported in Timor-Leste.
Most cases have been reported in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, with 85 cases, followed by 78 cases recorded in Ermera municipality, eight cases in Liquiça, seven in Lautem, and five in Bobonaro. Further spread of the outbreak in other municipalities is possible.
Elisabeth Leto Mau, Director General of Primary Health Care of the Ministry of Health (MoH), reported that MoH, in january, recorded a sudden increase in the number of Chikungunya cases: “As of january 25, 2024, MoH reported a total of 183 Chikungunya cases.”
Health authorities highlight those at increased risk for severe disease and prevention measures to mitigate the additional spread of the virus into unaffected municipalities.
Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus transmitted by infected mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes Albopictus. Humans are the primary reservoir during epidemics. Before 2013, outbreaks had been described in Africa, Southern Europe, Asia, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Most people infected with chikungunya virus become symptomatic. The incubation period is typically 3–7 days (range 1–12 days). The most common clinical findings are acute onset of fever and polyarthralgia. Joint pains are usually bilateral, symmetric, and often severe and debilitating.
Other symptoms can include headache, myalgia, arthritis, conjunctivitis, nausea, vomiting, or maculopapular rash. Clinical laboratory findings can include lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated creatinine. Rare complications include uveitis, is, myocarditis, hepatitis, nephritis, bullous skin lesions, hemorrhage, meningoencephalitisretinit, myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and cranial nerve palsies. People at risk for more severe disease include neonates exposed intrapartum, older adults (e.g. age > 65 years), and people with underlying medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease).
Communities who develop fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash should seek medical care and prevent mosquito bites.
“In addition to chikungunya cases, the Ministry of Health has also registered a case of Zika virus disease identified in the municipality of Ermera. A 7-year-old child is affected by the Zika virus. ” Mau reported.
She said that a team from the Ministry of Health has been deployed to investigate the Zika virus in the municipality of Ermera and neighboring municipalities.
Meanwhile, as of january 25, 2024, MoH has also reported 88 cases of dengue fever, of which 31 cases were reported in Dili, 25 in Baucau, 28 in Bobonaro, nine in Liquica, and one each in Lautem and Manatuto.
Dongbao Yu, a health professional from WHO Timor-Leste said that WHO is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Health to control the spread of chikungunya, dengue and Zika virus in the country.
“We will provide technical support, capacity building and training for health workers as well as the prevention equipment to control the spread of the three mosquito diseases in the country,” said Yu.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
