CHIKUNGUNYA
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has been identified in >110 countries
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MOST PEOPLE INFECTED WITH CHIKV EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS
65–85% of people infected with chikungunya develop unpleasant symptoms such as fever, severe joint pain, headaches, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, and skin rashes, 4–8 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.1,2
Most patients experience acute infection, with symptoms that typically resolve in 7–10 days.2
APPROXIMATELY 43% OF CHIKUNGUNYA PATIENTS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS AFTER THREE MONTHS
Patients with chronic CHIKV symptoms may experience debilitating joint paint lasting months or even years.3
A study conducted in Mauritius in 2008 found that up to 78.6% of chikungunya cases resulted in persistent musculoskeletal symptoms 27.5 months after infection.4
CHIKUNGUNYA HAS NO CURE
There are currently no specific antiviral therapies available for CHIKV infection and treatment instead focuses on symptom management.1
Treatment for acute symptoms of chikungunya can include rest, fluids and use of analgesics and antipyretics.1
Vaccines for Chikungunya are available.
References
- World Health Organization. Chikungunya fact sheet. April 2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya. Accessed: August 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chikungunya. Yellow Book. January 2026. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/chikungunya.html. Accessed: August 2026.
- 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.
- 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.
UK-CH-2600004 (v2.0) August 2026