The Chikungunya epidemic has been the main topic of conversation in Haiti since May 2014, and with good cause. To date, there have been suspected cases of the virus in Haiti according to the official epidemiological report of the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP in French).
My name is Doudly Elius, I live in Delmas 19, a suburb of Port-au-Prince in Haiti. I currently live with my 2 brothers, my youngest sister and nephews. As careful as I am, I never thought that I would get the Chikungunya virus.
One Monday morning, unbelievable but true, I woke up happy and energetic to go to work when suddenly something happened to me. I felt some minor pains in my legs which, at the beginning, didn’t seem to be severe. I knew that these were the general symptoms of Chikungunya but I remained optimistic that this couldn’t be the virus attacking me. After 2 days, I woke up with pain in my joints and could barely move my feet. My family members were concerned but all I could say to reassure them was: “I am trying to survive, I just feel a slight pain in my legs but nothing serious”. Even though I knew that Chikungunya doesn’t kill, I was still anxious that something worse might happen, like a side-effect that would remain as a handicap in my body.
Later I found out that my symptoms were related to the epidemic. I was infected with the Chikungunya virus. I started researching about the epidemic and discovered that even after someone had been infected, there is a high possibility of side-effects which can remain in the body for years.
My family and I, believed that we had taken all the necessary measures to prevent us from being infected by the virus but we were still vulnerable. Before I got infected, I didn’t believe this disease transmitted by a mosquito was so painful and I finally realized for the first time that though the virus doesn’t kill, it is definitely something to avoid.
In the local media, there was a lot of information about Chikungunya. I learnt that it is a virus from an alphavirus mosquito which was endemic to Africa, South and Southeast Asia which recently surfaced in the Caribbean. I also learnt that there are no drugs or vaccines available for treatment of Chikungunya.
Since I began working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) a few months ago, I have learnt a lot about the Chikungunya epidemic including mosquito control mechanisms, surveillance and preventive measures. My work with the IFRC has also allowed me to do my part in helping vulnerable communities to cope with the Chikungunya epidemic.
A former colleague, Christian Clerjeune, saw me and commented, “Doudly, what’s wrong with you? It looks like you can’t walk normally, don’t tell me that you got the Chikungunya”, He believed that people get Chikungunya because other people living close by them have it too. As an IFRC staff, I provided correct information to Christian about the real causes of the disease and how it can be spread. The disease is an infection caused by the Chikungunya virus and it causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days, followed by a longer period of joint pains in the extremities; this pain may persist for years in some cases.
As a victim of Chikungunya, I know now the best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by any infected mosquitoes. To date only some medications can be used to reduce symptoms as for example paracetamol, a pain reliever generally taken by those who got affected by Chikungunya virus. It is also advised that persons suffering with Chikungunya should rest and drink a lot of fluids in order to allow the immune system to recover.
It has been more than 2 months since I contracted the virus and I am still coping with pain in the joints, especially in my legs. Although I have been taking pain-killers to diminish the pain, it is still difficult for my body to return to normality. I hope that in a near future a cure would be discovered in order to help eradicate this disease.
Now that I am working with an international organization that is engaged in the fight against Chikungunya, I am happy to help the organization raise the awareness, continue with sensitization activities and spread the message that this disease can be avoided if people take proper measures.