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Chikungunya

What's the risk for travellers?

The chikungunya virus is largely spread in the Americas region, with several countries reporting cases in 2018. ECDC is providing regular updates on the chikungunya transmission worldwide in its weekly threat reports/CDTRs.

Find out more in the CDTRs

Communicating on chikungunya prevention

Following an outbreak of chikungunya in Italy and the increasing presence of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in Europe, ECDC prepared a chikungunya communications toolkit, with template materials containing information and advice on chikungunya prevention and control

View the toolkit

Personal preventive measures for travellers to affected areas

As no vaccine or medication is available, it is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites when staying in the affected areas in order to prevent becoming infected with the virus. 

View personal preventive measures

About the disease

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to humans. The word ‘chikungunya’ means 'that which bends up', an allusion to the posture of the suffering patients. The most common symptom is joint pain.

Read the factsheet

Publication

Communicable Disease Threats Report, 20-26 January 2019, week 4

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Data

Surveillance systems overview for 2017

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Publication

Communicable Disease Threats Report, 18-24 November 2018, week 47

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Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 14-20 October, week 42

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Publication

Communicable Disease Threats Report, 18-24 November 2018, week 47

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Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 14-20 October, week 42

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Publication

Chikungunya virus disease - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2016

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Publication

Communicable disease threats report, 23-29 September 2018, week 39

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News

Epidemiological update: Chikungunya case in Spain without travel history to endemic areas (false alert)

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News

Monitoring current threats: ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR), week 43/2014

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News

Epidemiological update: autochthonous cases of chikungunya fever in France, 23 October 2014

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News

Chikungunya in Pacific Region

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Data

Figure 1. Number of reported chikungunya cases, EU/EEA, 2014

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Data

Figure 3. Seasonal distribution of reported chikungunya cases, EU/EEA, 2014 compared with 2010−2013 (minimum–maximum)

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Data

Table 1. Reported chikungunya fever cases: number and rate per 100 000 population, EU/EEA, 2010–2014

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Data

Figure 2. Reported chikungunya cases, by age and gender, EU/EEA, 2014

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Threats and outbreaks

Surveillance and disease data

Most chikungunya fever cases were travel related. The number of cases increased during the summer holiday months. Latest data from the ECDC Annual epidemiological report

Prevention and control

The best protection against mosquito-borne diseases is preventing mosquito bites. Control measures include strengthening mosquito surveillance in areas in Europe at risk of importation of mosquitoes and virus transmission.

Communication

Following an outbreak of chikungunya in Italy and the increasing presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Europe, ECDC prepared a communications toolkit, with template materials with information and advice on chikungunya prevention and control.

Facts

Related diseases

Disease / public health area

Sindbis fever

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West Nile fever

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Yellow fever

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Zika virus infection

Disease programmes and networks

Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases Programme

European network for sharing data on the geographic distribution of arthropod vectors, transmitting human and animal disease agents (VectorNet)

Peer-reviewed publications

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Chikungunya: Its History in Africa and Asia and Its Spread to New Regions in 2013-2014

Jan 2016

Peer-Reviewed Publication

External quality assessment studies for laboratory performance of molecular and serological diagnosis of Chikungunya virus infection

Jan 2016

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The global distribution of the arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

Jan 2015

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Chikungunya outbreak in the Caribbean region, December 2013 to March 2014, and the significance for Europe

Jan 2014