How far will you go to help prevent chikungunya?
There are more practical ways to avoid this mosquito-borne disease.
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is one of the most commonly contracted viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.1 It’s caused by the chikungunya virus that’s spread by mosquitoes that bite more aggressively in the daytime hours, meaning they’re hard to avoid.2 Found in many popular travel spots, chikungunya can potentially ruin your travels and stick around for a long time after.2-4
But you don’t need to go to extremes to get protected. Keep reading to learn more.
Over 75%3–5
Over 75% of people infected with chikungunya will develop symptoms, including severe joint pain, fever, and headache.
119 countries2,6
Chikungunya has been reported in 119 countries, mostly tropical and subtropical climates in Latin America, Africa, plus South and Southeast Asia.
Over 40%7
Over 40% of people infected with chikungunya can get debilitating long-term symptoms that last for months or even years after the initial infection, such as severe arthralgia.
Chikungunya symptoms
Symptoms include severe pain in multiple joints, muscle pain, fever, and rash, similar to those of Zika and dengue.2,8-10 Find the reasons to avoid chikungunya on our symptoms page.
Where is chikungunya found?
Chikungunya has been found in some of the top travel destinations around the world.2 Do you need to plan protection for your trip?
Avoiding chikungunya
You don’t need to go to extremes to protect yourself from chikungunya. Talk to your travel healthcare provider about practical protection or learn more by clicking below.
1. Salam N, et al. Global prevalence and distribution of coinfection of malaria, dengue and chikungunya: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):710.
2. Chikungunya. World Health Organization. Updated April 14, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya
3. McGuinness SL, Wu HM. Pretravel considerations for non–vaccine–preventable travel Infections. In: Travel Medicine (Fourth Edition). 2019;53–60.
4. Rama K, et al. Clinical outcomes of chikungunya: a systematic literature review and meta–analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024;18(6):e0012254.
5. Brouard C, et al. Estimated risk of chikungunya viremic blood donation during an epidemic on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, 2005 to 2007. Transfusion. 2008;48(7):1333–1341.
6. Chikungunya epidemiology update – June 2025. World Health Organization. Accessed July 21, 2025. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/chikungunya-epidemiology-update-june-2025
7. Paixão ES, Rodrigues LC, Costa MDCN, et al. Chikungunya chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2018;112(7):301-316.
8. Rico–Mendoza A, et al. Co–circulation of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses in Colombia from 2008 to 2018. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2019;43:e49.
9. Shukla A, et al. Long–term neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonatal chikungunya: follow–up of a series of cases till 1 year. J Trop Pediatr. 2021;67(3):fmaa053.
10. Faria BS, et al. Vertical transmission of chikungunya virus: a worldwide concern. Braz J Infect Dis. 2024;28(3):103747.