Chikungunya is a viral disease with fever, severe joint pain, and rash transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes.
The virus was first isolated in Tanzania in 1952 and has since spread around the globe with major outbreaks in the Indian Ocean islands in 2005–2006 and the Americas in 2013–2014.
Chikungunya can lead to chronic joint pain lasting months or years in 30–40% of cases, especially in those with pre-existing joint diseases.
There is no specific antiviral treatment, and management focuses on symptom relief with rest, fluids, and pain medications.
Prevention relies on mosquito control measures and personal protection to avoid mosquito bites in areas with chikungunya transmission.
The first chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq, is a live attenuated vaccine. It was approved by the FDA in November 2023 as a single dose for individuals 18+ at high risk of exposure. Ixchiq has a good safety profile, induces strong neutralizing antibodies, and several other vaccine candidates are under development.
