Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus which is spread through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya bite during the day, from sunrise to sunset, especially at dawn and dusk. They breed in natural and man-made containers (for example flowerpots and old tyres) and these are a risk factor for transmission if left around human habitation.

CHIKV was first isolated after an outbreak in Tanzania in the 1950s. It now occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world but has also been found in parts of Europe and the USA. The mosquito that transmits CHIKV has spread very widely and has become a major global health problem.

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4-8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Travellers visiting areas with on-going outbreaks are at risk of being infected with CHIKV. The risk areas are constantly changing and evolving, and travellers should check the latest information on our Country Information pages before they travel.

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4-8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4-8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Prevention

Travellers should seek advice from a health professional prior to travel for information on the risk of chikungunya at their destination.

Mosquito bite avoidance is recommended, particularly during daytime hours.

Chikungunya vaccines

Two new vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK.

IXCHIQ^® is a live vaccine approved in the UK for individuals 18 years and older.* Vimkunya^® is a virus like particle vaccine approved in the UK for individuals 12 years and older.

*See Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on age groups for the vaccine below

As of 9 June 2025, global data has highlighted 23 cases of serious adverse events in individuals 62 to 89 years of age who received IXCHIQ^® during post marketing use. Two of the cases reported a fatal outcome. Many of the people affected also had other illnesses and the exact cause of these adverse events and their relationship with the vaccine have not yet been determined.

The UK government independent expert advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has temporarily restricted the use of IXCHIQ^® in people aged 65 years and over. This is a precautionary measure while the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) conducts a safety review.

On 16 July 2025, JCVI published advice on the use of chikungunya vaccines in the UK. When vaccination is considered to be indicated, JCVI advises:

Vimkunya^® vaccine may be offered to individuals aged 12 years old and over
IXCHIQ^® vaccine may be offered to immunocompetent individuals aged 18 to 59 years old

The JCVI current advice against the use of IXCHIQ^® live attenuated chikungunya vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older is precautionary and will be reviewed when further safety data is available. This approach was based on the report of an individual aged 62 years experiencing serious adverse effects, and an opportunity to align operationally with current advice on caution on the use of yellow fever vaccine in individuals aged 60 years and older.

In order to further align the yellow fever vaccine and IXCHIQ^® advice, JCVI also advises that the IXCHIQ^® vaccine should not be offered to individuals with a history of thymus disorder or thymectomy.

Currently there is no evidence of a safety signal with the use of Vimkunya^® in older adults. The JCVI did not consider it necessary to restrict the use of Vimkunya^® at this time but note that this vaccine has not been used extensively. See JCVI news item (link above) for further details on indications for vaccination.

Table 1: chikungunya vaccines schedule and JCVI recommended age range

Vaccine	Schedule	Length of protection	Age range
IXCHIQ^®(live attenuated vaccine) Valneva	Single 0.5ml dose given IM	The need for revaccination has not been established	18–59 years*
Vimkunya^®(non-replicating virus particle vaccine) Bavarian Nordic	Single 0.8ml dose given IM	The need for revaccination has not been established	≥ 12 years

*See JCVI guidance regarding chikungunya vaccines, 16 July 2025

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Chikungunya vaccination information

Chikungunya vaccinations authorised in the UK including updates on recent possible serious adverse events in older people and JCVI advice

Updated: 07 August 2025

Changes to the Country Information pages: chikungunya vaccine recommendations

NaTHNaC has reviewed and updated the chikungunya country-specific information and vaccine recommendations

Updated: 29 July 2025

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Recent Chikungunya Outbreaks

26 August 2025

Chikungunya in France

As of 20 August 2025, a total of 156 locally acquired cases of chikungunya have been reported since the beginning of 2025. Cases have been reported from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Nouveille-Aquitaine. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.

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26 August 2025

Chikungunya in Italy

As of 20 August 2025, a total of 29 locally acquired cases of chikungunya have been reported since the beginning of 2025. Cases have been reported from the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya

Take usual precautions

18 August 2025

Chikungunya in Hong Kong

As of 15 August 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of chikungunya have been reported in Hong Kong. All cases have been imported. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.

Take usual precautions

12 August 2025

Chikungunya in Brazil

As of 8 August 2025, a total of 115,920 cases of chikungunya (87,312 confirmed) and 106 deaths have been reported since the beginning of 2025. The overall burden is lower compared to the equivalent period in the 2024 transmission season. Most cases have been reported from Mato Grosso (41,321 confirmed cases). Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.