Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which is most active during the daytime, especially around dawn and dusk. When an Aedes mosquito bites a person infected with chikungunya, it becomes a carrier of the virus. Within 8 to 10 days, the mosquito can transmit the virus to another person for the rest of its life. It’s important to note that chikungunya cannot be spread directly from person to person. These mosquitoes can breed indoors, in places like flower vases and water storage tanks, as well as outdoors in buckets, containers, and plant pots.
Symptoms typically appear 4-8 days after infection and include the sudden onset of severe joint pain in the back and knees, high fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, muscle pain, and skin rash. While infection is rarely fatal, joint pain may persist for several months or even years. Those who recover from chikungunya are usually immune to future infections.
If you suspect a chikungunya infection, seek medical advice promptly. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers like paracetamol. Avoid aspirin as it can cause bleeding. Travellers returning home with fever and joint pain should seek medical attention immediately.
Currently, there is no vaccine or medication to prevent chikungunya. The best way to avoid infection is through mosquito bite prevention:
Chikungunya is endemic in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. Recent outbreaks in the Caribbean and the spread of the virus through Central and South America have raised concerns.
For more information on how to protect yourself from chikungunya and other travel-related health risks, contact our expert travel health professionals.
Chikungunya is endemic in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
A recent outbreak in the Caribbean and the spread of the virus through central and South America is causing concern. Nearly 200 cases of Chikungunya infection in UK travellers were reported in November 2014 by Public Health England. 80% of these cases were acquired in travellers who had visited the Caribbean, South and Central America. According to WHO, as of January 2015, over 1,135,000 suspected cases of Chikungunya have been recorded in the Caribbean islands, Latin American countries and the USA.
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