Mosquito-borne chikungunya virus causes severe brain inflammation

The mosquito-borne virus chikungunya may lead to severe brain infection and even death in infants and people over 65, according to findings published in Neurology. Chikungunya is not a new virus, but before 2004 it was considered nonfatal and unlikely to cause lifelong disabilities. However, major outbreaks since 2005 have been attributed to a new strain, and severe or fatal cases have been seen with central nervous system (CNS) involvement in both adults and infants. Chikungunya virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has become infected by feeding on an infected person. It is most commonly spread by the same type of mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus. The most frequent symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Most people recover within a week, but for some, the joint pain can continue for months and even years. Outbreaks in Africa and Asia, cases recorded...