The threat of chikungunya in Oceania
10.5365/wpsar.2013.4.2.003
- Author:
Paul Horwood
;
Grace Bande
;
Rosheila Dagina
;
Laurent Guillaumot
;
John Aaskov
;
Boris Pavlin
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
2013;4(2):18-25
- CountryWHO-WPRO
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The Oceania region, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean, has historically been free from chikungunya. However, the 2011 outbreak in New Caledonia and the ongoing outbreak in Papua New Guinea have highlighted the risk to other communities in Oceania where there are competent mosquito vectors and permissive social factors and environmental conditions. In this article we discuss the threat to this region that is posed by the recent evolution of the E1:A226V mutant strains of chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
