chikungunya mosquito on a stem

CHIKUNGUNYA

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause debilitating effects lasting from months to years.1 With increasing visits to areas of substantial, recent chikungunya activity each year, British travellers are at-risk of infection.2,3

About Chikungunya

Chikungunya has been found in many popular destinations visited by UK travellers.1–3

Chikungunya is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases – and its reach continues to grow.1,4

Cases detected in returning travellers have increased by 150% between 2023 and 2024 in the UK.5 While it may be less well-known than other mosquito-borne diseases, chikungunya can cause severe symptoms which may last from months to years.6–8

Avoiding mosquito bites is key to prevent infection, though it can be challenging.9,10

chikungunya mosquito on a stem

How is chikungunya transmitted?

Chikungunya is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which are found in both urban and rural areas and typically bite during the daytime.11–14 This can make them hard to avoid while travelling.9,10

Chikungunya spreads through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.11,12

These mosquitoes acquire infection by biting human and non-human primates carrying high levels of the virus in their bloodstream.11

Infected Aedes mosquitoes can then spread it to anyone else they bite,11 fuelling the transmission cycle.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus chikungunya mosquito infection cycle
Adapted from Centers for Disease Control. 2024.15

 

Due to the considerable overlap in vector species, geographical distribution and initial symptoms, it can be difficult to distinguish chikungunya from other mosquito-borne disease like dengue, malaria and zika.4,16–18

Chikungunya Symptoms

Chikungunya could not only spoil travellers’ holidays, but also lead to debilitating effects that may last for months or even years.7,8

Over 75% symptomatic
Over 75% of people who become infected develop symptoms7,19,20		 Onset in 3–7 days
Symptoms typically appear 3–7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito21–23		 Lasting ~10 days
These symptoms usually resolve within 7–10 days21,22		 Long-term impact
Approximately 40% of people infected develop severe symptoms, lasting from months to years7,8

 

Symptoms of chikungunya can include:

Severe pain in
multiple joints (polyarthralgia)19,24

Fever19,24

Nausea24

Headache24

Muscle pain19,24

Fatigue24

Travellers may not always deem protection against travel illness necessary,25 but in the long-term chikungunya polyarthralgia can impact patients at work and home, negatively affecting their quality of life.26

The name ‘chikungunya’ originates from the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted” and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain12

 

Rare but serious complications may also include:

Ocular27

Retinitis
Exudative retinal detachment
Optic neuritis

Cardiovascular28

Myocarditis
Heart failure
Pericarditis
Acute myocardial infarction

Neurologic29

Encephalopathies / encephalitis
Myelopathies / myelitis
Guillain-Barré Syndrome

 

Anyone travelling to an at-risk area can catch chikungunya, but those with underlying health conditions (e.g. diabetes, cardiac disease, hypertension) are at higher risk of severe disease.30

Destinations at Risk

Chikungunya has been found in over 110 countries1

Weak surveillance, reporting gaps, and lack of differential testing between other mosquito-borne diseases with similar symptomologies – especially in endemic regions – may contribute to the underreporting of chikungunya cases.4,11,16–18,31

Even with underreporting, over 620,000 cases and 213 deaths were documented worldwide in 2024.12,31,32

In recent years, destinations popular with UK travellers, like South and South-East Asia, Latin America, plus Africa have been especially affected1

 

Over the past 50 years, the impact of chikungunya has increased dramatically, with outbreaks growing in size, geographic reach and severity, spreading to previously unaffected areas.19,21,33,34

This is partly due to climate change, urbanisation, global travel and viral adaptations, which have accelerated the spreading of Aedes mosquitoes and made regions like Europe and the USA more suitable habitats.19,23,35

Countries with a history of chikungunya transmission2,3,36

history of Chikungunya map
Adapted from Grabenstein, et al. 2023.

aBetween 2019–2022: >1,000 cases, with 2,000–1 million between 2011–2022. b>12,000 cases between 2011–2022, although <1,000 in 2019–2022.
 c<7,500 cases between 2011–2022, with <500 in 2019–2022. dCases reported before 2011, but not between 2011–2022.

Learn more about the prevention of chikungunya – visit the TravelHealthPro* website to find out more

*This website is not owned or controlled by Bavarian Nordic.

Protection Methods

Chikungunya-carrying mosquitoes typically bite during the day so can be hard to avoid9,10,12

As there is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and managing the disease relies on supportive care to alleviate symptoms,11 helping to protect travellers against chikungunya is especially important.

The Aedes mosquitoes that spread chikungunya are typically active during the day, so only using mosquito nets at night may not be enough to protect travellers.12

Taking further steps to prevent bites during the day can be difficult to implement consistently while travelling.9,10

mosquito repellent symbol

Repellents9

long sleeves and trousers to help prevent mosquito bites symbol

Wearing long sleeves and trousers9

Screens on doors/windows10

Even travellers seeking guidance often fail to apply adequate, protective amounts of repellents.37

As such, travellers may benefit from multiple approaches to protection: both by preventing bites and through vaccination38

 

Vaccines are now available to provide an additional level of protection against chikungunya.39,40

Click here to learn about VIMKUNYA®▼Chikungunya Vaccine (recombinant, adsorbed)

VIMKUNYA is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus in individuals aged 12 years and older. The use of this vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.40

Click for VIMKUNYA® Prescribing information

Find out more

Published Date: 01 February 2026

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  39. Ixchiq (Chikungunya vaccine, live), Summary of Product Characteristics.
  40. VIMKUNYA (Chikungunya vaccine, recombinant, adsorbed), Summary of Product Characteristics.