Chikungunya Fever

Introduction
Recommendations
Overview of Disease
The Illness
Treatment

Introduction

Chikungunya can cause a fever and intense joint pains. It is caused by the Chikungunya virus and is spread by mosquito bites.

Recommendations for Travellers

The best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites:

The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya bite during the day, from sunrise until sunset.
During these hours your skin should be covered up with long, loose fitting clothing.
Insect repellent should be applied to any exposed areas of skin, and reapplied frequently, as suggested by the manufacturer's instructions.
- See the mosquito bite avoidance page for further information.

You should seek medical attention if you develop any feverish illness whilst travelling, or on your return home.

A chikungunya vaccine called IXCHIQ is licenced in the UK.

The vaccine is only recommended for some individuals aged over 18 years.
You should arrange a travel health consultation if you wish to discuss if the chikungunya vaccine may be suitable for you.

Overview of the Disease

Chikungunya is spread by the bite of Aedes species of mosquito. These predominantly bite during the day, from sunrise until sunset.

These mosquitoes also transmit Dengue fever, Zika virus and Yellow Fever.

Chikungunya fever occurs in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North, South and Central America, the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

It has occasionally occurred in Italy and France but the infection has not become common in Europe.

The Illness

Symptoms usually start 4 to 8 days after the mosquito bite.

A high temperature (fever) is often accompanied by intense joint pains.

A rash, headache, feeling tired (fatigued), feeling sick (nausea) and muscle pains may also occur.

The illness usually gets better over a few days or a week and serious complications are uncommon.

Ongoing joint pains may continue in some people for weeks to months or longer.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for chikungunya virus infection.

Symptoms like fever, joint pain and headache can be treated with painkillers. Ongoing joint pains often need anti-inflammatory medications and assessment by a doctor specialising in joints.