Chikungunya to infest the Americas

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for the chikungunya virus to spread and become epidemic in the Americas, particularly in the context of increased human mobility and environmental factors. Participants explore the origins of the virus, its relationship with other flaviviruses like Zika and dengue, and the role of mosquitoes in transmission.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference a study indicating that chikungunya is likely to invade the Americas, especially with events like the FIFA World Cup increasing human movement.
  • Others question the relevance of the study, suggesting that Zika virus is currently of greater concern than chikungunya or dengue.
  • A participant discusses the historical presence of chikungunya, attributing its spread to increased human population density and mobility, as well as potential ecological changes affecting mosquito predators.
  • Another participant argues that while Zika virus has garnered significant media attention, it is less lethal than chikungunya and dengue, particularly for non-pregnant individuals.
  • One participant humorously connects the names "Monsanto" and "mosquito," suggesting a conspiratorial angle regarding the role of mosquitoes in spreading viruses.
  • Another participant echoes this humorous connection but does not agree that the names sound similar, indicating a divergence in interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of chikungunya compared to other viruses like Zika and dengue. There is no consensus on the implications of the study or the origins of the viruses, with some participants emphasizing ecological factors while others focus on media narratives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about human behavior and ecological impacts that are not fully explored. The discussion includes references to various sources, but the relevance and accuracy of these sources remain unverified within the thread.

wolram
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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140407122751.htm

A team of French and Brazilian researchers warn that chikungunya virus is poised to invade, and become epidemic in the Americas according to research published ahead of print in the Journal of Virology.

The risk of a "catastrophic" epidemic in the Americas is boosted by the FIFA World Cup, to be held in Brazil next month, what with people coming in from near and from far, says corresponding author Ricardo Lourenco-de-Oliveira of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil annually reports the highest incidence of dengue, a virus that is transmitted by Aedes aegyptiand Aedes albopictus, the same mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya, he says.

Where the heck are all these originating from?
 
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Check the date on the article: It's from two years ago. They probably picked the wrong flavivirus, as Zika virus, not Dengue or chikungunya, is causing the most concern at present.
 
wolram said:
Where the heck are all these originating from?

As far as I can find, they've been in the environment for centuries. They now spread because human population has increase in density and there is increase mobility, particularly intercontinental travel. Human activity may also have reduced populations of birds (other animals?) and insects (arachnids?) that feed on mosquitoes.

http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/
http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/entomologyEcology/climate.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/
http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/
 
Ygggdrasil said:
Check the date on the article: It's from two years ago. They probably picked the wrong flavivirus, as Zika virus, not Dengue or chikungunya, is causing the most concern at present.
What you say is true and it sucks that it is that way with the news and media because despite all the commotion and talks, it is less lethal than Dengue and Chikungunya and symptoms are less aggressive on the host. It simply became famous because of what happens to pregnant woman's babies.

Source (symptoms) (I copied them from Astronuc's post): Zika vs Chikungunya vs Dengue

Putting the symptoms and effects of the viruses in a balance, Zika should be of little concern to not-pregnant people imo. Although that doesn't imply it should be ignored. In the end it is the same kind of mosquito that can transmit all of the 3 diseases. Which probably answers Wolram question:
wolram said:
Where the heck are all these originating from?
From the same kind of mosquito.
 
mosanto. the company. notice how mosanto and mosquito sound similar? :wideeyed::nb)
i said. it. there. ugh oh. i am smartest person in the king of the world.

anyways. as a killing agent, a mosquito is probably the best weapon, it produces so many and it travels because a human will get the virus and travel/
meaning if you travel a lot like some people you can acquire many viruses via mosquito. if your blood is exceptional. they will love you in asia and west indies.
 
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jw6661 said:
mosanto. the company. notice how mosanto and mosquito sound similar? :wideeyed::nb)
i said. it. there. ugh oh. i am smartest person in the king of the world.

anyways. as a killing agent, a mosquito is probably the best weapon, it produces so many and it travels because a human will get the virus and travel/
meaning if u travel a lot like some people u can acquire many viruses via mosquito. if ur blood is exceptional. they will love u in asia and west indies.
This sounds old, classic but still so good. Uhm...Oh...OK.
 
jw6661 said:
mosanto. the company. notice how mosanto and mosquito sound similar?
Monsanto and mosquito don't sound similar to me.
 
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