MY PLAN OF ACTION
To help protect yourself from the chikungunya virus, consider a plan of action
Prevention may help you along your trip abroad
Given that the disease caused by the chikungunya virus is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, the first step is to take personal protective measures, before and during your trip:
A proven method of protection against the chikungunya virus is vaccination.
Personal protective measures are also recommended to avoid mosquito bites:
- Insect repellants
- Bed nets
- Clothing – light-coloured, loose clothes (long pants with long-sleeved shirts)
It’s important to plan accordingly and visit a travel health clinic or speak to a healthcare professional 4–6 weeks before travelling.
“I discovered that I might be at risk of chikungunya. It’s a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus that can result in fever and arthritis-like joint pain that usually lasts for a few days but can last weeks, months or even years! The chikungunya virus has been identified in over 110 countries. And I’d picked one of them. So, it was time to talk to a healthcare professional about helping protect myself against the chikungunya virus.”
-Carol*
* Fictional patient
