Chikungunya alarm: Verona's folk festival canceled due to tropical epidemic!

Chikungunya alarm: Verona's folk festival canceled due to tropical epidemic!

The chikungunya virus is spreading in northern Italy, which has led to a comprehensive warning from the German Foreign Office. Since September 12, all events in Verona have been canceled, including the popular “Sagra del Ceo” festival. The reason for this is increasing infection numbers, which already include over 200 confirmed cases, but have not yet caused any deaths. Loud Picture Veneto and Verona are known as hotspots for the virus.

The chikungunya virus is transmitted by diurnal Aedes mosquitoes, particularly tiger mosquitoes. There is no possibility of direct infection from person to person. Symptoms such as fever, severe joint pain, joint swelling, muscle discomfort, headache, nausea, fatigue and rashes typically occur 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite. These symptoms are often comparable to those of dengue and Zika viruses, which can lead to misdiagnosis. The disease can cause painful joint inflammation, which can last for a long time in some sufferers, while most patients recover completely. Older people or people with weak health are particularly at higher risk of complications.

Protective measures and vaccination recommendations

Although there is no specific antiviral treatment yet, doctors recommend using medications to relieve symptoms, such as paracetamol. Since holidaymakers from Germany have also been infected in Italy, it is particularly important to take protective measures. Unfortunately, many citizens show inadequate precautions, such as wearing long clothing or using bug spray. Disinfection campaigns are already being carried out in neighborhoods such as Santa Lucia, Borgo Milano and Chievo to reduce the population of tiger mosquitoes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) sees the current situation as a risk of an international crisis. Despite the increasing number of cases, the experts also recommend vaccination against chikungunya, which was endorsed for the first time by the standing vaccination commission. Two vaccines have been approved so far, both requiring only one dose to provide reliable protection after about two weeks. WHO supports countries through surveillance and response strategies to control the spread of arboviruses and mobilize the public.

The situation in Italy is reminiscent of previous outbreaks in other countries. Chikungunya was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and cases have increased worldwide since 2004, reflecting viral adaptations and introduction into immunologically naïve populations. In total, the virus has been documented in over 110 countries and WHO appreciates the importance of effective control measures in areas where the virus is widespread. Further information about the chikungunya virus and its effects can be found in the comprehensive reports on the website WHO to find.