Colombia Reports 1.8 Lakh Chikungunya Cases, 25 Deaths in Less Than A Year

The National Health Institute has reported that 25 people have succumbed to chikungunya virus in Colombia, South America, in less than a year.

Since the illness was identified in Colombia in July 2014, more than 180,000 cases have been confirmed, 25 people have died, and another 17 deaths are still being investigated as possibly caused by the virus, according to the data from the institute.

Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by the bite of infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. The rarely fatal, but nevertheless serious virus sparks high fevers and severe joint aches, as well as headaches, nausea and extreme fatigue.

It has spread across the Caribbean, to Central America, Mexico and South America. There is no vaccine or treatment.

Source: Medindia