Key facts

Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes

The disease causes severe joint pain

Severe illness and death is rare

A vaccine has been approved but it is not widely available

The best way to protect against the disease is to avoid mosquito bites

Overview

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus. The name comes from the Kimakonde language of southern Tanzania and means “that which bends up”, after the contorted posture of those affected.

The virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which also spread diseases such as dengue, zika and yellow fever. The disease has been identified in more than 110 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas and parts of southern Europe. However, if many people become infected population immunity builds up and transmission of the disease can be interrupted.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually occur four to eight days after you have been bitten by an infected mosquito.…