Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus which is spread through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya bite during the day, from sunrise to sunset, especially at dawn and dusk. They breed in natural and man-made containers (for example flowerpots and old tyres) and these are a risk factor for transmission if left around human habitation.

CHIKV was first isolated after an outbreak in Tanzania in the 1950s. It now occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world but has also been found in parts of Europe and the USA. The mosquito that transmits CHIKV has spread very widely and has become a major global health problem.

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4–8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Travellers visiting areas where chikungunya is endemic (present) or where there are ongoing outbreaks are at risk of being infected with CHIKV. The risk areas are constantly changing and evolving, and travellers should check the latest information on our Country Information pages before they travel.

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4–8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is an unpleasant disease but is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually start about 4–8 days from a bite by an infected mosquito and include:

sudden high fever
severe joint pains (arthralgia) and muscle pains (myalgia)
headaches
sensitivity to light (photophobia)
skin rashes

Some people can be infected with CHIKV without developing symptoms, but this is rare.

The symptoms usually improve within 1–2 weeks, but the joint pains can be severe and may persist for months or even years.

Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment consists of rest, fluids and medicines for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Prevention

Travellers should seek advice from a health professional before travel for information on the risk of chikungunya at their destination.

Mosquito bite avoidance is recommended, particularly during daytime hours.

Chikungunya vaccines

One vaccine is currently approved for use in the United Kingdom (UK).

Vimkunya^® is a virus like particle vaccine approved in the UK for individuals 12 years and older.

IXCHIQ, a live attenuated chikungunya vaccine, became available on the UK market in June 2025. However, in February 2026, following a safety review of the benefits and risks of the vaccine, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced restrictions in the use of IXCHIQ^® vaccine based on global safety data, where 28 cases of serious adverse reactions had been reported.

In October 2026, the UK marketing authorisation for IXCHIQ^® chikungunya vaccines was revoked by the MHRA. The decision was based on a review of previous safety data and was not associated with any newly identified safety signal.

Currently there is no evidence of a safety signal with the use of Vimkunya^®. The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not considered it necessary to restrict the use of Vimkunya^® but note that this vaccine has not been used extensively.

Table 1: chikungunya vaccines schedule and recommended age range

Vaccine	Schedule	Length of protection	Age range
Vimkunya^®(non-replicating virus particle vaccine) Bavarian Nordic	Single 0.8ml dose given IM	The need for revaccination has not been established	≥12 years

Resources

More detailed information can be found in the Chikungunya factsheet
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Chikungunya worldwide overview
IXCHIQ chikungunya vaccine marketing authorisation revoked by MHRA
World Health Organization: Chikungunya fact sheet

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IXCHIQ chikungunya vaccine marketing authorisation revoked by MHRA

Based on a further benefit-risk assessment for travellers, the UK marketing authorisation has been revoked by MHRA

Updated: 09 October 2026

IXCHIQ chikungunya vaccine: updates to restrictions of use

Following a safety review, the MHRA has published details of new precautions and contraindications for IXCHIQ

Updated: 12 February 2026

Chikungunya virus disease: Global situation report 2025

The World Health Organization have published a report on the current global situation of chikungunya virus disease (CHIKV)

Updated: 07 November 2025

Chikungunya vaccination information

Chikungunya vaccinations authorised in the UK including updates on recent possible serious adverse events in older people and JCVI advice

Updated: 29 August 2025

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Recent Chikungunya Outbreaks

15 October 2026

Chikungunya in France

As of 12 October 2026, a total of 162 locally acquired chikungunya cases have been reported during 2026 in Tarn, Lot, Gard (Occitanie), Gironde, Landes, Pyrenees-Atlantiques (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Val-de-Marne (Île-de-France) and Var (Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur) in France. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.

Take usual precautions

Outbreak updates (latest first)

Nouvelle-AquitaineOccitanieÎle-de-FranceProvence Alpes-Côte d’Azur

As of 5 October 2026, a total of 146 locally acquired chikungunya cases have been reported during 2026 in Tarn, Lot (Occitanie), Gironde (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Val-de-Marne (Île-de-France) and Var (Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur) in France. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.

Chikungunya

Prevention

Chikungunya vaccines

Table 1: chikungunya vaccines schedule and recommended age range

Resources

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Recent News on Chikungunya

Recent Chikungunya Outbreaks

Chikungunya in France

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