Chikungunya

Have you ever heard of the Chikungunya? Probably not, like most people here in Haiti until recently. This virus is transmitted by mosquito bites and share some similarities with the Dengue fever. Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. The name ‘chikungunya’ derives from a word in the Kimakonde language (Zambia), meaning "to become contorted" and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain. Other common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. There is no cure nor any vaccine to prevent it, and the only treatment is symptomatic. Fortunately this decease is rarely fatal and last only for few days but elders and infants are at bigger risk.

These past few months, we have seen in Haiti a multitude of cases throughout the country to finally reach epidemic proportions. Not later than last week, the young 30 years old fellow who works in our complex as guard got the Chikungunya and unfortunately his 1 year old daughter got it as well around the same time. He managed to get better but his daughter had lung complications associated to it and despite our effort to take her to the children hospital, she passed away. The doctors said that she probably had some existing lung conditions prior to get the Chikungunya and the sickness just aggravated her condition.
Many people here are living in poverty and to buy pain killers is already a privilege that most can't afford. The money we've collected between ourselves helped the family to pay for the funerals and food for few weeks but we know that does not sooth the harsh reality for their loss nor for their hard living conditions in Haiti.
Another reminder for us all to enjoy what we have at home before complaining about little things that are bothering us.