What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus, primarily spread through infected mosquitoes. First identified in 1952 during an outbreak in Tanzania, its name comes from a Makonde word meaning “that which bends up,” referring to the severe joint pain it can cause. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, and most people recover within one to two weeks with supportive care.
How does transmission occur?
The virus is spread when a person bitten by an infected mosquito is, in turn, bitten by another person. The culprits are Aedes mosquitoes, notably Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which bite during the day and into the evening. In the current U.S. context, local transmission requires both an infected traveler and a local mosquito population that can pick up and pass the virus on to others.
Recent developments in the United States
Health authorities reported a New York suburban case of chikungunya involving a traveler who began showing symptoms after traveling outside the region. The patient was diagnosed on Long Island, and officials noted that the virus is not spread directly from person to person. As of now, no local mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus, suggesting limited local transmission risk at that moment.
What are the symptoms?
Chikungunya typically presents with fever, joint pain, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes a rash. While most patients recover without medical intervention, some experience severe or prolonged joint pain that can last months or even years in rare cases. Severe illness and deaths are uncommon and are more likely in babies and older adults or individuals with underlying conditions.
Treatment and vaccines
There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Care focuses on relieving symptoms through rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever and alleviate pain. In recent years, two vaccines have been approved in several regions and are available primarily for travelers. These vaccines are not widely deployed in the United States and are targeted toward those at higher travel risk to regions where chikungunya is more common.
Where does chikungunya occur?
Chikungunya outbreaks have historically occurred in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with periodic activity in Europe. Global numbers fluctuate yearly; the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has tracked hundreds of thousands of cases across regions, with Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru among the countries with higher counts in recent years. Climatic factors and urbanization contribute to the potential for spread by expanding the habitats of Aedes mosquitoes.
What does this mean for U.S. residents?
While a locally acquired case in New York raises awareness, experts emphasize that the current risk of sustained local transmission remains low in areas where cold nighttime temperatures limit mosquito activity. People should take standard preventive steps to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water around homes, such as emptying flower pots, containers, and other sites where water can collect. Wearing long sleeves and pants, using repellent, and securing screens can reduce exposure as warmer months bring higher mosquito activity.
Why the trend is rising
Experts note that outbreaks are increasing globally due to climate change and rapid urbanization, which expand the reach of Aedes mosquitoes. Since 2000, chikungunya outbreaks have become more frequent, paralleling trends in dengue and Zika. Public health officials advocate robust surveillance, mosquito control, and travel-aware precautions to mitigate future spikes.
