Chikungunya
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.
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
Two vaccines have been approved for use in the UK.
- IXCHIQ® is a live vaccine approved in the UK for individuals from 18 years to 59 years of age.*
- Vimkunya® is a virus like particle vaccine approved in the UK for individuals 12 years and older.
*In February 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced changes to the use of IXCHIQ, following recommendations by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM).
Based on these recommendations, IXCHIQ® should not be used in travellers of any age who have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, or travellers who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed, including IgA (immunoglobulin A) deficiency, and those who have a history of thymus disorder and/or thymectomy.
A caution is advised using IXCHIQ® in individuals with two or more underlying chronic health conditions, and as a precaution, IXCHIQ® should be given at least 30 days before travel.
The decision to restrict the use of the IXCHIQ® vaccine is based on global safety data, where 28 cases of serious adverse reactions have been reported.
See Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice along with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) statement Feb 2026 below.
Currently there is no evidence of a safety signal with the use of Vimkunya®. The JCVI did not consider it necessary to restrict the use of Vimkunya® at this time but note that this vaccine has not been used extensively. See JCVI news item (link below) for further details on indications for vaccination.
Table 1: chikungunya vaccines schedule and recommended age range
| Vaccine | Schedule | Length of protection | Age range |
| IXCHIQ® (live attenuated vaccine) Valneva |
Single 0.5ml dose given IM | The need for revaccination has not been established | 18–59 years* |
| Vimkunya® (non-replicating virus particle vaccine) Bavarian Nordic |
Single 0.8ml dose given IM | The need for revaccination has not been established | ≥12 years |
*See JCVI guidance regarding chikungunya vaccines, 17 March 2026 and MHRA publication 11 February 2026
Resources
- More detailed information can be found in the Chikungunya factsheet
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Chikungunya worldwide overview
- UK Health Security Agency: Chikungunya
- World Health Organization: Chikungunya fact sheet
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: IXCHIQ Chikungunya vaccine: updates to restrictions of use following safety review. 11 Feb 2026
- Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) meeting minutes 1 October 2025
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Recent News on Chikungunya
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 2026Chikungunya 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 2025Chikungunya 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 2025Changes to the Country Information pages: chikungunya vaccine recommendations
NaTHNaC has reviewed and updated the chikungunya country-specific information and vaccine recommendations
Updated: 29 July 2025Recent Chikungunya Outbreaks
Chikungunya in French Guiana
As of 27 March 2026, 65 cases of chikungunya have been reported in French Guiana during 2026. The most affected region is the Western Littoral/West Shore area. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.
Chikungunya in Madagascar
As of 8 February 2026, a total of 29 confirmed chikungunya cases have been reported in Madagascar since January 2026. Most cases have been reported from Mahajanga (21 cases), followed by Toamasina (7 cases) and Antsirabe (1 case). Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.
Chikungunya in Suriname
As of 4 March 2026, a total of 1,357 confirmed cases of chikungunya (one death and another under investigation) have been reported from Suriname since the outbreak was declared in late January 2026. Confirmed cases have been reported from eight districts: Paramaribo, Paramaribo, Marowijne, Wanica, Nickerie, Commewijne; Tamansari, Richelieu, Para and Coronie. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.
Chikungunya in Argentina
As of 16 March 2026, a total of 2,701 chikungunya cases have been reported in Argentina since July 2025. Out of 103 confirmed or probable cases, 63 were locally acquired and 40 cases had a history of travel to either Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba or Paraguay. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on chikungunya.
