About Chikungunya

Key points

  • Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
  • Symptoms can include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash.
  • There are no medicines to treat chikungunya virus disease (chikungunya).
  • Vaccination is recommended for some travelers.
Woman feeling sick and experiencing headache.

Overview

Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Outbreaks have occurred in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is a risk the virus can spread to unaffected areas by infected travelers.

The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

There are currently no medicines to treat chikungunya. The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Vaccination is recommended for some travelers.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)