Chikungunya is transmitted to people by mosquitoes infected with the Chikungunya virus. Symptoms include fever, rash and sore joints. The virus is mainly found in Africa, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Americas. Travellers to affected areas should avoid mosquito bites to prevent infection.
Chikungunya virus infection (chikungunya) is caused by a virus that is spread by two types of mosquitoes:
Symptoms of chikungunya include:
Symptoms usually develop about 7-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Most people infected with the chikungunya virus recover in a few weeks. Some people might experience tiredness for many weeks and joint pain for many months.
People develop chikungunya virus infection after being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus. Chikungunya is not spread directly from person to person.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on somebody who has chikungunya virus in their blood. Once infected, the virus multiplies inside the mosquito and can infect other people when it bites them.
Chikungunya virus occurs in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Western Pacific. People who travel to places where chikungunya occurs are at risk of infection if bitten by the types of mosquito that can spread the infection (Dengue mosquito or Asian Tiger mosquito).
Chikungunya can be more serious for:
There is currently no vaccine against chikungunya.
To protect against mosquitoes and reduce the risk of diseases they transmit:
For more detailed information on reducing the risk of mosquito bites at home and while travelling see Mosquitoes are a health hazard. This also includes more information on mosquito repellents.
See Staying healthy when travelling overseas for further information on travel.
Smartraveller also has health information for specific destinations.
Your doctor can take a blood sample and have it tested for chikungunya virus.
A second blood test may be required to confirm a recent infection.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya. Your doctor will advise you on treating the symptoms with anti-inflammatory medications.
Laboratories notify their local public health unit when they confirm that someone has chikungunya virus.
Public health units follow up each case to determine where the person may have been infected.
This information is important to help identify if transmission is occurring in areas considered to be low-risk. It also aims to prevent transmission in areas of Australia that have the type of mosquito that can spread chikungunya.
For further information on the public health response please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055.
If you have symptoms of chikungunya and you are concerned, speak to your doctor right away, or in an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
For health advice you can also: