The Health Bureau (SSM) issued a public reminder on Tuesday to stay alert for symptoms of chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease marked by fever, rash and joint pain, according to a SSM statement on that day.
Residents are encouraged to follow the “3 Tips for Mosquito Prevention” to help stop the spread, the statement noted.
According to the statement, chikungunya is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito and does not spread between people, with common symptoms that include sudden fever, rash, and intense joint pain, especially in smaller joints like the wrists, knees, and fingers.
The statement added that while most cases resolve within a week, joint discomfort can linger for months in some patients. The bureau advises those experiencing symptoms to seek prompt medical care.
The statement said that the key to prevention lies in eliminating mosquito breeding sites, particularly small pools of clear, stagnant water found in containers around homes and buildings. To support this, the bureau recommended “3 Tips for Mosquito Prevention”: eliminate stagnant water regularly, block mosquitoes from entering homes using screens or nets, and wear protective clothing and repellent when outdoors.
The fever is both preventable and controllable with simple but consistent measures, the statement said. The bureau encourages the community to take active steps in mosquito control to reduce infection risk. More information can be found via visiting www.ssm.gov.mo/csr.
These three infographics provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) give the public three tips of how to avoid the chikungunya fever.
