Instant way to detect chikungunya
Posted on: 14/May/2015 9:11:15 AM
Now just like detecting pregnancy with pregnancy test, chikungunya will also be detected in a very short time span of just one hour, according to new development made by researchers. Scientists at US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases have developed a new device by making modification in an assay which is used to test the presence of virus responsible for chikungunya (CHIKV).
With this, the healthcare professionals now have a simplified way of checking the presence of CHIKV virus in just one hour instead of waiting for obtaining test results from laboratories which is days long process or in fact, weeks.
This new method works with the use of chemical dipstick that is similar to pregnancy test. If the test shows positive for Chikungunya, by taking immediate measures, the disease can be mobilized and controlled very soon. This is a wiser idea as there is no specific vaccine for the ailment so far.
The symptoms of chikungunya may be severe or even fatal. Victims experience fever, pain, muscle and joint swelling, headache, rashes, etc. Impacts of this can last even for few months. The new method of detecting chikungunya does not require the need of electricity.
