Chikungunya: What Travellers Need to Know About the Disease and Vaccines

As global travel increases, so too does the risk of encountering mosquito-borne infections like Chikungunya.

15/07/2025

🌍 Chikungunya: Global Situation in 2025

Since early 2025, over 220,000 cases of Chikungunya and 80 related deaths have been reported across 14 countries. So far, there have been no confirmed cases in Europe, but outbreaks continue in:

South America: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru
Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Africa: Senegal
Indian Ocean Territories: Mayotte and Réunion (French overseas territories)

Travellers to these regions should be especially cautious and consider vaccination where appropriate.

🦟 What Is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes — the same species responsible for spreading dengue and Zika. There is no specific treatment, so prevention is key.

Key facts:

Incubation: 1 to 12 days after a mosquito bite
Symptoms in 38% of patients:
- Sudden high fever
- Severe joint pain (especially in hands and feet)
- Headache, fatigue, rash

Most recover from acute symptoms within 10 days, but joint pain may recur for months or even years, making the disease debilitating in some cases.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

Primary Prevention:

Use insect repellents with DEET or picaridin
Wear long sleeves and trousers
Remove or cover stagnant water near accommodation
Use mosquito nets, especially in rural or open-air lodgings

Secondary Prevention: Vaccination

There are two Chikungunya vaccines currently available in the UK, each with different features and age indications.

💉 Chikungunya Vaccines Available in the UK

1. Ixchiq (Valneva) – Live-Attenuated Vaccine

Age: 18 years and older
Dose: Single dose
Not suitable for: Pregnant individuals or those who are immunocompromised
Sero-response rates:
- 98.9% at 28 days
- 96.3% at 6 months

Current update:
Following rare but serious adverse event reports, Valneva has voluntarily paused the use of Ixchiq in patients over 65 years as a precaution. Investigations are ongoing, and the vaccine is not banned.

In a recent outbreak on Réunion Island, Ixchiq has been widely used, especially in older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

2. Vimkunya (Bavarian Nordic) – Inactivated Recombinant Vaccine

Age: 12 years and older
Dose: Single dose
Limited data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Sero-response rates:
- 97.8% at 22 days
- 85.5% at 6 months

This vaccine is not live, making it a potential alternative for those who cannot receive live vaccines, though suitability should be discussed with a travel health specialist.

❓ Traveller FAQs

Q: Is Ixchiq banned in the UK?
A: No. Its use is temporarily suspended for people aged 65+ while safety data is reviewed.

Q: Is Chikungunya more severe than Dengue?
A: The diseases differ. Dengue has 4 serotypes and can cause haemorrhagic complications. Chikungunya typically causes longer-lasting joint pain that can persist for 12 months or more, compared to the average 6-month duration of dengue-related symptoms.

Q: How can I tell if I have Chikungunya and not Dengue, Malaria, or COVID-19?
A: Symptoms overlap across these illnesses. Laboratory testing (antibody or PCR) is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. Self-diagnosis based on symptoms is not reliable.

📚 Further Reading & Resources

✈️ Final Advice for Travellers

If you’re heading to a Chikungunya-affected area, speak to a travel health professional at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
Vaccination may be advisable depending on your destination, age, and medical history.
Combine vaccination with mosquito bite prevention to minimise your risk.

Stay informed. Stay protected. Travel safely.

Written by Derek Evans FFTM RCPS(Glasgow), FISTM, FRPharmS, FRGS

Travel Health and Vaccination Lead