While the circulation of virus Sinbis (SINV) has been reported in mosquitoes and birds worldwide, human infection (the maladie de Common) has been reported almost exclusively from Finland, Sweden, Russia and South Africa. However, larger outbreaks and annual cases are reported only in Finland.
A total of 566 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in 2021, compared to an average of 158 annual cases between 1995 and 2021, making it a notable outbreak year. The high incidence of the virus in 2021 might be a harbinger of a larger outbreak that might hit Finland in 2022.
Ref : Sindbis virus Outbreak and evidence for geographical expansion in Finland, 2021. Maija T Suvanto, Ruut Uusitalo, Eveline Otte im Kampe, Tytti Vuorinen, Satu Kurkela, Olli Vapalahti, Timothée Dub, Eili Huhtamo, Essi M Korhonen. Eurosurveillance, Volume 27, Issue 31, 04/Aug/2022.
Reminders on the maladie de Common :
The maladie de Common is caused by the virus Sinbisvirus you genre Alphavirus of the family of Togaviridae. It is transmitted by mosquito bite in late summer. The disease is most common in Finland in August and September.
Symptoms usually include a rash, mild fever and joint inflammation, in more extreme cases they can lead to painful arthritis. The joints most affected are the ankles, fingers, wrists and knees. This joint inflammation causes joint swelling and pain, especially when moving. Usually the rash and fever go away within a few days. Joint pain can last much longer, often several weeks and sometimes even months or years.
To prevent diseasewear protective clothing (long sleeves and pants) and apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
Source : Eurosurveillance.
