Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first identified in
1952-53 at the Makonde plateau in the southern part of
Tanzania (previous Tanzanyika). Chikungunya is a
Makonde word means ‘that which bends up’- bending
posture of the individuals infected with virus.1
Chikungunya virus belongs to the genus Alfavirus, of
the Togoviridae family which has 12 kb positive-sense
RNA genome that envelopes 4 non-structured protein
NSP1-4 with five structural proteins (C, E3, E2, 6K,
E1).2 CHIKV is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes
aegypti or A albopictus which also cause dengue (and
Zika). The virus was spread to Asia in 1954 to the
Phillipines. Currently three distinct genetic linkage were
identified- West African, the East Central Southern
African lineage, and Asian lineage.3