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Chikungunya overview

What is chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The word “Chikungunya” is derived from the Kimakonde language and means “that which bends up”, it describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with severe joint pain.2

There is currently no treatment for chikungunya2

Widely prevalent2

Outbreaks are primarily reported in the Americas, Asia and Africa, with occasional smaller outbreaks in Europe.2

Spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus2

Global warming is expected to expand the reach of these mosquitoes over time.3,4

65–85% of those infected with CHIKV develop symptoms5

Symptomatic patients may experience fever and severe joint pain. Other common symptoms include headaches, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue and skin rashes.2

Up to 43% are chronically affected2,6

Individuals may experience debilitating joint paint that can last from months to years.*2,6

IXCHIQ® Powder and solvent for solution for injection. Chikungunya vaccine (live)7

IXCHIQ® is indicated in the UK for active immunisation for the prevention of disease caused by CHIKV in individuals aged 18 years and older.7

*Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis study that included 6532 chikungunya patients.

How is chikungunya transmitted?

CHIKV is transmitted by the bite of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.2

Where is chikungunya transmitted?

Large outbreaks and sporadic cases are primarily reported in the Americas, Asia and Africa, with occasional smaller outbreaks also in Europe.2

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*Global underreporting of CHIKV means the incidence of infection and risk may be higher.8

Chikungunya virus can be introduced into Europe by travellers, with potential for local transmission due to established CHIKV mosquito vectors in the region. Between 2018 and 2022, 19 EU/EEA countries and the UK reported 846 chikungunya cases.9

A large outbreak of CHIKV in a temperate climate country occurred in Italy in 2007. It is presumed that a single infected traveller from India introduced CHIKV to the province of Ravenna in northeastern Italy, resulting in cases in two neighbouring villages. It is thought that a high density of Ae. albopictus at the time of the index case could have been a major determinant of the outbreak.10

112 cases of CHIKV were reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024, more than double the number of cases reported in 2023.11

Climate change is predicted to shift and expand the reach of mosquitoes as more areas attain suitable climatic conditions and others become hostile environments for the mosquito hosts.3,4 Increased rates of travel and tourism may also facilitate the spread of chikungunya.8

What risk factors are associated with chikungunya transmission?

People living in, or travelling to, areas with outbreaks are at risk. Risk to travellers is greatest in areas experiencing ongoing epidemics, which usually occur during the tropical rainy season and abate during the dry season.5

Although everyone can be infected by CHIKV, several groups face increased risk for severe disease. Being at extremes of the age spectrum, and comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are common risk factors for developing severe symptomatic disease.2,12

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Useful links

For healthcare professionals:

UK Health Security Agency TravelHealthPro World Health Organization U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

To recommend to travellers:

TravelHealthPro GOV.UK Foreign travel advice

References

  1. World Health Organization. Global Chikungunya Epidemiology Update. June 2025. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/epp/ezh/chikungunya-epidemiology-update_11june2025.pdf?sfvrsn=ffddcf60_4&download=true. Accessed: June 2025.
  2. World Health Organization. Chikungunya factsheet. April 2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya. Accessed: June 2025.
  3. Ryan SJ, Carlson CJ, Mordecai EA, Johnson LR. Global expansion and redistribution of Aedes-borne virus transmission risk with climate change. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019;13(3):e0007213.
  4. Tjaden NB, Cheng Y, Beierkuhnlein C, Thomas SM. Chikungunya beyond the tropics: Where and when do we expect disease transmission in Europe? Viruses. 2021;13(6):1024.
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chikungunya. CDC Yellow Book 2026. April 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/chikungunya.html. Accessed: June 2025.
  6. Paixão ES, Rodrigues LC, Costa M da CN, et al. Chikungunya chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2018;112(7):301-316.
  7. IXCHIQ. Summary of Product Characteristics. March 2025. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/100652/smpc. Accessed: June 2025.
  8. Zurbia-Flores GM, Reyes-Sandoval A, Kim YC. Chikungunya virus: Priority pathogen or passing trend? Vaccines (Basel). 2023;11(3):568.
  9. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya virus disease – Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022. June 2024. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/CHIK_AER_2022_report.pdf.
  10. Rezza G, Nicoletti L, Angelini R, et al. Infection with chikungunya virus in Italy: an outbreak in a temperate region. Lancet. 2007;370(9602):1840-1846.
  11. UK Health Security Agency. Travel-associated infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2024. March 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travel-associated-infections/travel-associated-infections-in-england-wales-and-northern-ireland-2024. Accessed: June 2025.
  12. Micheleto JPC, Melo KA, Veloso FCS, Kassar SB, Oliveira MJC. Risk factors for mortality in patients with chikungunya: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2025;30(4):235-245.
  13. Essackjee K, Goorah S, Ramchurn SK, Cheeneebash J, Walker-Bone K. Prevalence of and risk factors for chronic arthralgia and rheumatoid-like polyarthritis more than 2 years after infection with chikungunya virus. Postgrad Med J. 2013;89(1054):440-447.
  14. NHS Scotland. Mosquito Bite Avoidance - Fit for Travel. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria/mosquito-bite-avoidance. Accessed: June 2025.
  15. Britannica. Aedes | Description, Life Cycle, & Disease Transmission. April 2025. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/animal/Aedes. Accessed: June 2025.
  16. Schneider M, Narciso-Abraham M, Hadl S, et al. Safety and immunogenicity of a single-shot live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine: a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2023;401(10394):2138-2147.

Adverse events should be reported.
Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to the Valneva UK Ltd Medical Information department on Tel: 01506 446608 or via email: safety@valneva.com

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