A viral disease is, as the name suggests, transmitted by a virus. Some viruses enter the body directly (via water droplets, for example), other viruses require a vector. A vector is a carrier. In the case of the o’nyong nyong virus, this vector is a malaria mosquito. We see the disease mainly occurring in East Africa. Symptoms begin about 8 days after infection. Fever and rash occur. The pain in the joints is remarkable. Treatment is often mild, and the disease progresses favorably in most cases.
What is o’nyong nyong?
The disease o’nyong nyong is a viral disease that mainly occurs in East Africa. In the period between 1959 and 1962 there was an epidemic in this part of the country, in which more than 2 million people became ill. In the period 1996-1997 there was a smaller epidemic, in which more than 400 people became ill in Uganda (East Africa).
Togavirus
The causative agent of the disease is a togavirus. There are many different types of togaviruses. A well-known one is the rubella virus (rubivirus), which causes rubella. In 2006, the Chikungunya virus was responsible for more than 1.5 million sick victims in India. This is also a toga virus. The cause of o’nyong nyong is the o’nyong nyong virus (alpha virus).
Vector
Not every virus needs a vector, but the o’nyong nyong virus does. But what is a vector? The literal translation of vector is ‘carrier’. When it comes to viruses, a vector is a carrier of the virus. The pathogen, in this case the virus, is transmitted via this carrier. The o’nyong nyong virus uses the Anopheles mosquitoes. This is the malaria mosquito from the mosquito family. In addition to malaria, these mosquitoes transmit more than 40 other diseases, including o’nyong nyong. The mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus serve as vectors (carriers) for this disease.
Only the female mosquitoes bite. It is therefore the female insects that transmit the virus. The mosquitoes are mainly attracted by the smell of feet. People with sweaty feet are therefore more likely to come into contact with mosquitoes. The mosquitoes can be recognized by the way they sit: when resting they carry their abdomen higher than their chest. Other mosquitoes have a more horizontal resting position.
The malaria mosquito has always lived in Africa. The temperature and humidity are high there, something that the mosquito appreciates. In the 20th century, the mosquito was also commonly seen in the Netherlands. Insecticide was used to eradicate the mosquito. The Netherlands has been free from the malaria mosquito since 1970. However, the mosquito is seen again in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 21st century.
Symptoms
The disease is mainly contracted in Africa. It is therefore the travelers/tourists who are most at risk. The incubation period is eight days. This means that the first symptoms of illness occur eight days after infection. The name of this disease means ‘weakening of the joints’ in Nilotics. Characteristic is the weakness and pain in the joints such as the knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, etc. Fever often occurs first with chills. The nosebleeds that occur spontaneously are also characteristic. A rash will appear all over the body. This rash also disappears after a few days. Furthermore, the lymph nodes are swollen and sometimes painful. Swollen lymph nodes occur in response to an infection/inflammation.
Is the disease fatal?
The disease malaria can be quickly fatal. Malaria Tropicana is the most dangerous variant and can lead to death within 48 hours of infection. Other variants are less likely to be fatal or survivable. People who become infected with malaria several times build up a certain resistance.
O’nyong-nyong has not been found to be fatal. Although people can become seriously ill, no fatalities have been observed.
Treatment and recovery
The disease often heals on its own. The body must have sufficient resistance for this. It is therefore important that the diet is of good quality and contains all the vitamins and minerals that the body needs. People with a reduced immune system recover more slowly and can sometimes even succumb to it. The body is then too weak to fight. This applies to all diseases that affect a weakened immune system.
Painkillers are prescribed for the pain. These are used for as long as necessary, but close attention must be paid to the maximum dosage. Antibiotics are never prescribed. These are only effective against bacteria, not against a virus. Fever-reducing medications can make you feel better. However, the usefulness of fever should not be underestimated: it means that the virus is better tackled by the immune system. Fever-reducing painkillers such as paracetamol are often a first choice.
