A new study in BMJ Global Health estimates the health and economic burden of chikungunya worldwide from 2011 to 2020. Findings showed that there were an estimated total of 18.7 million chikungunya cases in 110 countries between 2011 and 2020, causing 1.95 million disability adjusted life-years (DALYs). Most of this burden was found in the Latin American and Caribbean region. The total economic burden caused by chikungunya over these 10 years was estimated at $2.8 billion in direct costs and $47.1 billion in indirect costs worldwide. Long-term chronic illness was the source of most costs and DALYs.
Chikungunya was found to have a higher disease burden than was previously estimated and costs related to the disease are substantial. Especially in combination with its unpredictable nature, chikungunya could significantly impact local health systems.
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