Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the same vector that spreads dengue fever. The virus does not spread directly between people. Mosquitoes bite mainly during the day, with peak activity in early morning and late afternoon.

First identified in Tanzania in 1952, Chikungunya is currently experiencing rapid outbreaks in the Indian Ocean islands of La Réunion and Mayotte, which have spread to parts of Africa, South Asia, and Europe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). On July 22, 2025, WHO issued a warning over its accelerated spread.

Symptoms appear 4–8 days after a mosquito bite (ranging from 2–12 days) and include sudden fever above 38.5°C and severe joint pain or arthritis. Other symptoms are joint stiffness, headache, fatigue, rash, and prolonged joint pain. While symptoms usually resolve in 2–7 days, infants, newborns infected from mothers, and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness. There is no specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on symptom relief. Recovery usually confers immunity.

To prevent an outbreak, the Ministry of Health has urged:

Intensified screening at border checkpoints, medical facilities, and communities, especially in areas with returning travelers from affected regions.

Immediate sample collection from suspected cases for confirmation.

Thorough investigation and elimination of outbreak clusters, and mosquito surveillance at borders and in communities.

Hospital readiness to admit, treat, and refer patients to avoid overloading facilities.

Joint dengue-Chikungunya prevention campaigns, including water container checks and elimination of mosquito breeding sites.

Public awareness drives on symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods.

The ministry also requested regular reports via the infectious disease surveillance system, coordinated technical guidance from national institutes, and deployment of inspection teams to high-risk areas.

PV