Climate Fact: Chikungunya Charge
Chikungunya fever, which has traditionally been confined to Africa and Southern India, is now present in northern Italy. A relative of dengue fever, Chikungunya, which comes from a Makonde (an ethnic group in Southeast Africa) word that means “to become contorted,” causes fever, rashes, and severe bone pain. Europe’s recent warming trend, especially the trend toward warmer winters, has enabled the Asian Tiger Mosquito to survive in the southern part of the continent. The presence of this mosquito, and a recent mutation of the Chikungunya virus, led to last year’s outbreak, which affected 300 residents in the northern Italian towns of Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna.
Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Source:Chong, Jai Rui. “A tropical virus moves north.” The Los Angeles Times: 29 December 2007. Accessed Online 4 January 2007 <http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-sci-chik29dec29,1,3495553.story?ctrack=2&cset=true>
