Colombia: MSF responds to an increase in Chikungunya, a viral disease that causes fever and joint pain

In Tumaco, Nariño Department, Colombia, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has responded to an increase in Chikungunya, a viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain and is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.

The first cases were recorded in September last year, and since then the disease has already affected more than 200,000 people, according to the National Institutes of Health. MSF has responded by fumigating houses — spraying for vector control in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods, where the houses are built on stilts over water. This has been carried out in 10,000 homes, protecting about 50,000 people.

In addition to the spraying, MSF has trained emergency medical personnel from several hospitals in clini- cal diagnosis, treatment and epidemiological reports. The MSF team has also explained to pharmacists the complications of mismanagement and the need to refer the sick to health centres. This disease creates a high social impact because of the large number of cases, and the sometimes long-term inability to work. Another element of MSF’s response has been the donation of 600 tests to help diagnose this emergent disease and help sufferers get the proper treatment. There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for Chikungunya, and no commercial vaccine. 

• Learn more about MSF's work in Colombia