Chikungunya virus Agent Information Sheet

By mosquito bites, from Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus family. Bloodborne and organ transplant transmission possible. Rare maternal fetal transmission.

Host Range/Reservoir
Non-human primates and humans are likely main reservoirs. Human to vector to human transmission occurs.

Symptoms
Fever, malaise, and polyarthralgias 2-5 days after fever. Affects hands, wrists, and ankles. Rash, headache, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal symptoms possible.

Incubation Period
3-7 days (range 1-14 days)

Viability
Susceptible to common disinfectants: 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hydrochloride, 2% glutaraldehyde, and > 60° C

Survival Outside Host
Unknown

Information for Lab Workers

Laboratory PPE

PPE Personal protective equipment includes but is not limited to laboratory coats or gowns, disposable gloves, safety glasses, face shield if risk of splash, and respirator (PAPR or N-95) if aerosol risk.

Containment

Research should be conducted using Biosafety Level 3 practices, equipment, and facility design. Animal studies may be performed at ABSL-3.

In Case of Exposure/Disease

• For injuries in the lab which are major medical emergencies (heart attacks, seizures, etc…).
• Medical Campus: call or have a coworker call the Control Center at 617-414–4144
• Charles River Campus: call or have a coworker call campus security at 617-353-2121.
  You will be referred to or transported to the appropriate health care location by the emergency response team.
• For lab exposures (needle sticks, bite, cut, scratch, splash, etc…) involving animals or infectious agents, or for unexplained symptoms or illness call the ROHP 24/7 hour number (1-617-358-ROHP (7647); or, 8-ROHP (7647) if calling from an on-campus location) to be connected with the BU Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) medical officer. ROHP will refer you to the appropriate health care location.
• Under any of these scenarios, always inform the physician of your work in the laboratory and the agent(s) that you work with.
• Provide the wallet-size agent ID card to the physician.

Vaccination

IXCHIQ, a live attenuated chikungunya vaccine (manufactured by Valneva) is a vaccine indicated for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to CHIKV.   It is administered intramuscularly as a single 0.5mL dose with no current recommendation for a booster.

https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/prevention/chikungunya-vaccine.html

Package-Insert-IXCHIQ

Information for First Responders/Medical Personnel

Public Health Issues

Human to vector to human transmission occurs.

Diagnosis/Surveillance

Laboratory diagnosis made by RT-PCR or Chikungunya IgM antibody in serum with or ELISA or IFA

First Aid/Post Exposure Prophylaxis

Perform one of the following actions:

Treatment

References

CDC. Geographic distribution of chikungunya virus. Atlanta: CDC; 2014 [cited 2016 Sep. 22]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/index.html

Lee VJ, Chow A, Zheng X, Carrasco LR, Cook AR, Lye DC, et al. Simple clinical and laboratory predictors of chikungunya versus dengue infections in adults. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012;6(9):e1786.

Lindsey NP, Prince HE, Kosoy O, Laven J, Messenger S, Staples JE, et al. Chikungunya virus disease in travelers – United States, 2010–2013. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Jan;92(1):82–7.

Pan American Health Organization and CDC. Preparedness and response for chikungunya virus introduction in the Americas. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization; 2011 [cited 2016 Sep. 22]. Available from: “http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3545&Itemid=2545&lang=en””.

Rajapakse S, Rodrigo C, Rajapakse A. Atypical manifestations of chikungunya infection. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Feb;104(2):89–96.