NAIROBI, Kenya – As cases of mosquito-borne diseases continue to spike globally, health officials are warning the public to stay alert to one increasingly common culprit: chikungunya virus.
Often overshadowed by dengue and malaria, chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
First identified in Tanzania in 1952, the virus has since spread to more than 110 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
What Happens When You’re Infected
Chikungunya doesn’t spread directly from person to person.
But when a mosquito bites someone with the virus in their bloodstream—typically within the first week of infection—it becomes a carrier.
That mosquito can then infect others, creating a fast-moving transmission cycle.
Symptoms begin abruptly, typically 2–7 days after a bite.
The most common signs are a sudden high fever and intense joint pain—often so severe that it bends patients into a hunched posture, which inspired the name “chikungunya,” derived from a Makonde word meaning “to become contorted.”
Other symptoms include muscle aches, rashes, headaches, fatigue, and joint swelling.
While many recover fully within days or weeks, joint pain can linger for months or even years.
Rare complications involving the eyes, heart, or nervous system have also been reported, particularly in newborns and older adults with underlying health issues.
No Cure — Only Relief
There is no antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Patients are advised to rest, drink fluids, and use paracetamol (acetaminophen) to manage fever and pain.
Doctors caution against using aspirin and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen unless dengue—a disease with similar early symptoms—is ruled out, as these can increase bleeding risks.
In severe cases, hospitalization may be required to prevent organ damage.
Who’s at Risk?
Anyone living in or traveling to regions where chikungunya is circulating can be infected.
Outbreaks are often linked to rainy seasons or urban settings where stagnant water provides ideal mosquito breeding sites.
Pregnant women face particular concern. While the virus does not spread through breast milk, there is a risk of mother-to-child transmission during childbirth, which can lead to severe illness in newborns.
Prevention is Still the Best Medicine
Health authorities emphasize that prevention is the most effective defense.
This includes:
- Wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers.
- Using insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Sleeping under mosquito nets, especially in areas without air conditioning or window screens.
- Eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding.
Two chikungunya vaccines have been approved in some countries, though they are not yet widely available.
The World Health Organization is currently reviewing global data to guide future recommendations for vaccine use.
Travelers to areas with known chikungunya activity should consult their healthcare providers to assess the need for vaccination and take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Global Spread and Resurgence
Experts link the virus’s rapid expansion to urbanization, climate change, and the adaptability of Aedes mosquitoes.
These insects are now found across much of the world, biting both indoors and outdoors, often during daylight hours—unlike the night-feeding malaria mosquito.
Regions with large populations that have not been previously exposed remain vulnerable to explosive outbreaks.
In areas where transmission has occurred repeatedly, natural immunity among the population has occasionally helped interrupt the cycle, but the virus remains a persistent threat.
Chikungunya may not always be headline news, but its impact can be debilitating and long-lasting.
With no specific treatment and limited vaccine availability, awareness and prevention remain the strongest tools in reducing its spread.
As global travel and climate shifts continue to reshape disease patterns, chikungunya is one virus the world cannot afford to ignore.
