Analysis of Strategies for Preventing and Controlling the Chikungunya Virus

Abstract

Alternatives to stop chikungunya outbreaks are oriented to vector control and developing a specific treatment and a preventive vaccine. Environmental control and mosquito bite prevention are undoubtedly essential to decrease the disease burden, but Aedes vectors continue to expand geographically and re-emerge. So, vaccination is proposed to respond to this etiology and recognized as a pressing need for affected countries. A mathematical host-vector model, including asymptomatic population, vector control, and vaccination (assuming the existence of a safe protective vaccine against the chikungunya virus), is suggested to analyze the effects of these efforts. Poisson distribution is applied to interpret the basic reproduction number. Then vaccination and vector control thresholds are established to prescribe the most effective protection measures against exposure to the chikungunya virus. In conclusion, it is advisable to continue with integrated control to reduce the economic impact of relevant public health responses and mitigate other infections since Aedes is a transmitter of other arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and Mayaro. Furthermore, vaccinating all individuals in a community could be a costly and gradual process.