Chikungunya is a viral illness and its symptoms are similar to those of dengue, which include high-grade fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain and headache and joint swelling. Officials said unlike dengue it is not mandatory for doctors and hospitals to immediately report every case of Chikungunya and hence, the lack of data. A large number of patients are coming with typically high grade fever accompanied by severe body ache and characterised by severe joint pains. “Dengue fever is usually associated with severe headache, eye pain, severe muscle pain whereas Chikungunya fever is usually associated with less intense headache and more severe joint pain, particularly small joints of hand and feet. Joint pain in Chikungunya fever may last even for months,” said Samar.

Source: Hindustan Times August 24, 2016 19:07 UTC