NAME: Chikungunya virus
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Epidemic polyarthritis and rash, Chikungunya fever, CHIK
CHARACTERISTICS: Togaviridae (formerly group A arboviruses), genus Alphavirus; spherical, enveloped virions 60 nm in diameter, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome
PATHOGENICITY: Self limiting febrile viral disease; characterized by arthralgia or arthritis typically in the knee, ankle and small joints of the extremities, high fever, followed by a maculopapular rash; buccal and palatal enanthema can occur; nausea and vomiting may occur; mild hemorrhaging may be present especially in children; inapperent infections are common, immunity is long lasting
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Found in Africa, India, south east Asia and the Philippines
HOST RANGE: Humans, primates, other mammals, birds
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By bite of an infective mosquito
INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 1-12 days
COMMUNICABILITY: No evidence of person-to-person transmission
RESERVOIR: Most likely primates
ZOONOSIS: Probable - most likely from primates which generate high viremia but manifest no disease
VECTORS: Mosquitoes - Aedes spp.
Ae. aegypti, Ae. africanus
Mansoni spp.
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: No antiviral available to date
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Sensitive to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, Sensitive to lipid solvents
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by moist, dry heat> 58o C; Sensitive to drying
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Unknown, less than one day in culture medium at 37o C
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by serological analysis and viral isolation in mice or tissue culture
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Mainly supportive therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None available to date
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: At least 39 reported cases
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, aerosols
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the virus and potentially infectious body fluids or tissues
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Frequent handwashing
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
Date prepared: March, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001