Chikungunya virus; an emerging arbovirus in Pakistan.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus belongs to the family Togaviridae and was discovered in Tanzania in year 953-54. In November 2016, an outbreak occurred in Karachi and approximately 30,000 individuals were infected with CHIKV. More than 4,000 cases were confirmed by qualitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. However, actual numbers of cases are expected to rise. For the diagnosis of chikungunya virus, several methods including viral culture, detection of viral antigen, anti-CHIKV immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G antibodies and viral nucleic acid can be used. The recommended therapies include use of analgesics, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory medications like paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In severe cases, where NSAIDs are not effective, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can also be used. For prevention, mosquito nets and mosquito repellents are vital and must therefore be used effectively.