Chikungunya reported among US travelers returning from affected areas in the Americas.
Local transmission identified in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Chikungunya symptoms can impact
more than just your trip
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which can be found in many popular travel destinations.
It can lead to painful symptoms that last much longer than your vacation.
And it’s spreading.
How to say it:
chik-uhn-GUHN-yahfrom the Kimakonde language of East Africa, meaning “to become contorted”
WITH VIMKUNYA, YOU CAN HELP PROTECT YOURSELF.
Here’s what to know about chikungunya before your next trip:
3 OUT OF 4 PEOPLE DEVELOP SYMPTOMS
like severe joint pain, high fever, and headache after being infected, which can last 1 to 2 weeks.
Over 40% OF PEOPLE CAN get LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS
like severe joint pain and fatigue that last for months
or even years. These symptoms can get in the way of everyday activities like walking, going to work, and cooking.
In rare cases, it can even cause serious heart, brain, and eye complications.
Frequent. Widespread. Unpredictable.
CHIKUNGUNYA
ACROSS THE GLOBE
ACROSS THE GLOBE
Chikungunya virus is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions, but outbreaks have happened in most parts of the world.
North america
Caribbean sea
2013
First local transmission of chikungunya in the Americas identified in Caribbean countries and territories—meaning that mosquitoes in the area are infected with the virus and spreading it to people.
South america
2023
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Brazil has the highest chikungunya burden in the world.
Brazil:~243,000 cases
Paraguay:~123,000 cases
EUROPE
2007–2017
Due to climate change and other factors, Aedes mosquitoes continue to spread to new places, such as Italy (2007 and 2017) and France (2010, 2014, and 2017).
Africa
2023
Burkina Faso: 473 cases
Senegal: 220 cases
Mali: 8 cases
Other countries with evidence of CHIKV transmission among humans (2019–2024):
Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.
INDIAN OCEAN Islands
2006–2013
About 28 people per year tested positive for chikungunya virus in the US. All were returning from affected areas in Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean.
ASIA
2023
India: 93,465 cases
Thailand: 1277 cases
Malaysia: 177 cases
Pakistan: 18 cases
Other countries with evidence of CHIKV transmission among humans (2019–2024):
Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
PACIFIC ISLANDS
2023
Philippines: 2561 cases
Other countries with evidence of CHIKV transmission among humans (2019–2024):
Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Over the past 50 years, chikungunya outbreaks have grown in size, reach, and severity.
In 2023, about 500,000 cases of chikungunya were recorded worldwide, including travel destinations in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
ARE OUTBREAKS BECOMING MORE COMMON?
Yes. Climate change has helped create suitable conditions for Aedes mosquitoes in Europe and the US, which is helping chikungunya spread to new areas.
SPREAD BY MOSQUITO BITES
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. They can live in many environments across the world, including cities, towns, and rural areas.
And they mostly bite during the day.
A person can become infected when a mosquito bites them after it has fed on someone who has the virus.
NO SPECIFIC TREATMENT
Unfortunately, there is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya, so care is limited to alleviating symptoms, staying hydrated, and resting.
That’s why it’s so crucial to prevent chikungunya.
How to help protect yourself
Until recently, the only way to prevent chikungunya was to avoid Aedes mosquito bites. Doing that usually meant using bug spray, or wearing long sleeves and long pants all day.
But since Aedes mosquitoes often bite indoors—and are more active during the day than at night—even spending your whole trip inside might not offer consistent and reliable protection. And who wants to spend their whole vacation indoors?
1 shot of VIMKUNYA can help protect
you from chikungunya
VIMKUNYA is the first and only virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine for chikungunya virus. Since it's a VLP vaccine, that means it has no viral genetic material, and can't cause chikungunya virus infection.
See What makesVIMKUNYA different
