Chikungunya
Chikungunya is caused by the chikungunya virus (Alphavirus chikungunya) and is transmitted primarily through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person carrying the virus and can then spread it to other people through subsequent bites. This allows infected humans and mosquitoes to sustain transmission within a community. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Causes and How It Spreads”.
Symptoms usually begin three to seven days after an infected mosquito bites a person. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain, but the illness can also cause joint swelling, muscle aches, headache, and rash. Most people infected with chikungunya develop symptoms. Although many begin feeling better within a week, the joint pain can continue long after the initial illness has passed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026, “Symptoms of Chikungunya”.
Chikungunya is particularly known for the severity and persistence of its joint pain, which can be debilitating and last for months or even years. A study following patients in Colombia documented continuing joint pain more than three years after infection. For many affected patients, the symptoms followed a relapsing-remitting pattern: periods of improvement were interrupted by episodes of renewed pain. This means that feeling better does not always mark the end of the disease’s effects. Recurring pain and stiffness can interfere with daily activities and make chikungunya a prolonged burden even after the initial fever has resolved. Tritsch et al., 2020.
Death from chikungunya is rare, but the disease can cause severe illness. Those at greater risk include newborns infected around the time of birth, adults aged 65 and older, and people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. There is no specific antiviral treatment, so care focuses on relieving symptoms through rest, fluids, and appropriate pain medication. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026, “Symptoms of Chikungunya”.
A vaccine called VIMKUNYA is available in the United States for people aged 12 and older. Given as a single dose, it uses virus-like particles to stimulate an immune response without containing live chikungunya virus. The CDC recommends vaccination for eligible travelers visiting areas experiencing outbreaks and laboratory workers who may be exposed to the virus. Vaccination may also be considered for people spending an extended period in areas with elevated risk. For travelers, the decision depends on their destination, length of stay, potential exposure, and individual health circumstances. The vaccine is intended to prevent illness; it does not treat an infection that has already developed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026, “Chikungunya Vaccine”.
References:
Nava, Martin Reyna. Debboun, Mustapha. (2020) Mosquitos, Communities, and Public Health in Texas Academic Press
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012814545600002X
(June 22, 2026) Symptoms of Chikungunya Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/signs-symptoms/index.html
Tritsch SR, Encinales L, Pacheco N, Cadena A, Cure C, McMahon E, Watson H, Porras Ramirez A, Mendoza AR, Li G, Khurana K, Jaller-Raad JJ, Castillo SM, Barrios Taborda O, Jaller-Char A, Echavez LA, Jiménez D, Gonzalez Coba A, Alarcon Gomez M, Ariza Orozco D, Bravo E, Martinez V, Guerra B, Simon G, Firestein GS, Chang AY. Chronic Joint Pain 3 Years after Chikungunya Virus Infection Largely Characterized by Relapsing-remitting Symptoms. J Rheumatol. 2020 Aug 1;47(8):1267-1274. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.190162. Epub 2019 Jul 1. Erratum in: J Rheumatol. 2021 Aug;48(8):1350. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.190162.C1. PMID: 31263071; PMCID: PMC7938419.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7938419/
(January 22, 2026) Chikungunya Vaccince Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/vaccines/index.html