Prevention matters to protect yourself
The Aedes mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are active and bite more aggressively during the day, in both urban and rural areas, so they can be difficult to avoid.1-3
That’s why protection and prevention matter to reduce your chances of getting bitten.
Your travel health provider can help
Don’t start canceling your plans. There are ways you can help prevent chikungunya from ruining your travel.
It’s important to visit a travel health provider before you travel. They will be able to give you the latest information about your destination and the practical protection you might need. You can also find out if vaccination against chikungunya is right for you.
Use our clinic finder to locate your nearest travel health provider, or keep reading to learn more about chikungunya prevention.
Vaccination4
Vaccination against chikungunya is available. The vaccine is given as a single dose. Speak to your travel health provider to find out if vaccination is right for you.
Repellent5
Using EPA-registered insect repellent sprays can help to keep mosquitoes away. You can even treat clothes and other items with an insect repellent such as permethrin.
Clothing5
Clothing with long sleeves and long pants can help protect you from mosquitoes. It doesn’t have to be a hazmat suit—lightweight material is fine, but make sure it’s loose fitting—mosquitoes can bite through tight-fitting clothes like leggings.
Consider treating your clothing with an insect repellent too.
Accomodation5
If possible, choose accommodation with screens on the windows and doors to stop mosquitoes from coming inside. Even air conditioning can keep mosquitoes away.
Mosquito nets1,5
Consider using mosquito nets if you will be spending time resting outdoors. Remember, the mosquitoes that spread chikungunya mostly bite during the day, so sleeping under nets at night might not protect you as much as you would like.
Should you consider vaccination?
The best way to answer this is to ask a travel health provider if a chikungunya vaccination might be right for you.
Your pre-travel advice will take into account your areas of travel/destination, age, and any underlying medical or other conditions.
WHO
A fact sheet about chikungunya from the World Health Organization (WHO)
CDC
The CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s) pages on chikungunya
PAHO
The PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) pages providing an overview and further resources on chikungunya
ECDC
Further information on chikungunya from the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
My chikungunya story
Lorren shares his experience with the long-term effects of chikungunya. Watch his story here.
1. Chikungunya. World Health Organization. Updated April 14, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya
2. Li Y, et al. Urbanization increases Aedes albopictus larval habitats and accelerates mosquito development and survivorship. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8(11):e3301.
3. Weaver SC, Reisen WK. Present and future arboviral threats. Antiviral Res. 2010;85(2):328-345.
4. Chikungunya vaccine information for healthcare providers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 22, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/hcp/vaccines/index.html
5. Preventing mosquito bites while traveling. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 21, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/preventing-mosquito-bites-while-traveling.html