Newsroom / CNA
Cyprus is not currently at risk from the chikungunya virus, Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Virology Dr. Petros Karayiannis told the Cyprus News Agency, though he acknowledged a remote possibility of transmission.
Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Tanzania in 1952, has caused outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions. While recent cases have emerged in countries like China and France, Cyprus remains relatively safe for now.
“The mosquitoes that transmit the virus, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, have recently been detected in Cyprus,” Karayiannis said. “However, for local transmission to occur, an infected traveler would need to be bitten by a local mosquito, which would then spread the virus.”
Chikungunya is not spread person-to-person, but via mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, rash, headache, and muscle aches. Though most patients recover within a week, long-term joint pain can persist in 30% to 40% of cases. Fatalities are rare but more likely among children, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions.
Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. Management is limited to relieving symptoms. Travelers to affected areas are advised to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and sleep under mosquito nets. Karayiannis also noted that electric fans can help deter mosquito bites.
He emphasized that distinguishing chikungunya from other viral infections requires PCR testing, which can also rule out similar mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.
Karayiannis also addressed a surge in COVID-19 cases in Cyprus linked to Omicron subvariants. Symptoms include sore throat and, in some cases, gastrointestinal issues. While not highly virulent, he recommended precautions in crowded areas and public swimming pools.
Commenting on the U.S. decision to halt funding for mRNA vaccine research, Karayiannis called the move shortsighted. “This could undermine U.S. leadership in the field and open the door for European innovation,” he said, citing recent promising results in mRNA-based treatments for HIV and cancer.
“mRNA technology is not just the future of infectious disease prevention—it holds great potential in oncology,” he added.
