What Is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya (pronounced chi-kin-GUN-ya) is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, known for causing sudden fever and intense joint pain. While not usually fatal, it can be debilitating, especially for older adults and young children.
The word “Chikungunya” comes from the Makonde language of East Africa and means “to become contorted” – a reference to the hunched posture caused by joint pain during infection.
Initially found in Africa and Asia, the disease has recently spread to the Caribbean, the Americas, and Europe.
How Is It Transmitted?
Chikungunya is spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes, mainly:
- Aedes aegypti
- Aedes albopictus (also known as the tiger mosquito)
These mosquitoes bite mainly during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon. They thrive in urban, humid, and semi-tropical areas.
Important to know:
- It does not spread from person to person.
- Rare transmissions can occur during childbirth or through infected blood.
- A mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected person and can spread the disease for life.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms typically start 3–7 days after a mosquito bite and can last up to two weeks.
Most common:
- High fever (up to 39–40°C)
- Severe joint pain (wrists, ankles, knees)
- Fatigue and muscle ache
- Headache
- Rash (40–50% of cases)
- Nausea
In some people, especially older adults, joint pain may last for weeks or months.
Risk by Age Group
Children & Infants:
- Often milder symptoms, but higher risk of complications like dehydration or seizures
- Infants <1 year need special monitoring
Healthy Adults
- Most recover fully but may have persistent fatigue or stiffness
Seniors (60+):
- More likely to suffer prolonged joint pain or complications
Pregnant Women:
- Risk of transmission to the baby if the mother is infected near delivery
Where Is Chikungunya Found?
Global Overview:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- South & Southeast Asia
- Central America & the Caribbean
- Southern U.S. states
Europe:
- Outbreaks recorded in Italy, France, and Spain in recent years
- The Aedes albopictus mosquito is now established in southern and central Europe
Bulgaria:
No outbreaks yet, but the Asian tiger mosquito can be present, especially:
- Around the Black Sea coast (Varna, Burgas, Sozopol)
- In urban and forested areas with standing water
Risk is higher in:
- Seaside zones (humid, warm, tourist-heavy)
- Moist, rainy areas
- Unmaintained gardens, rural areas with standing water
Drier, mountainous zones have lower mosquito activity and are generally less risky during hot summers.
How to Prevent Chikungunya?
Protect yourself from bites:
- Use mosquito repellent (DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus)
- Wear long sleeves and trousers
- Sleep under mosquito nets in open areas
Eliminate breeding spots:
- Dump standing water from buckets, plant pots, and birdbaths
- Clean gutters and drains
- Use covered containers for water storage
How Is It Treated?
There’s no specific antiviral treatment, but symptoms can be managed at home in most cases.
Recommended:
- Paracetamol/acetaminophen for fever and pain
- Rest and hydration
- Cold compresses for swollen joints
Avoid:
NSAIDs like ibuprofen/aspirin until dengue is ruled out (due to bleeding risk).
Seek medical help if:
- A child or infant has persistent fever or seizures
- Symptoms last beyond 10 days
- You’re pregnant or immunocompromised
Is There a Vaccine?
Yes – partially available
In 2023, a vaccine called Ixchiq was approved in the U.S. for adults 18+ in high-risk areas.
However:
- It’s not yet available in Bulgaria or most of Europe
- It’s mainly for travelers, lab workers, and people living in endemic zones
- Broader access is expected in the coming years
A Short History & Surprising Facts
- First identified in Tanzania in 1952
- Major outbreaks in India (2005) and the Caribbean (2013–2014)
- Spread across Europe with Italy’s 2007 & 2017 outbreaks
- Named from a word meaning “to walk bent over”
Did You Know?
- One Aedes mosquito can lay eggs in a bottle cap of water.
Today, bottle caps in the EU are designed to stay attached to bottles, thanks to an environmental regulation aimed at reducing plastic litter. This initiative, part of the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, also has a public health benefit: keeping caps tethered to bottles makes it less likely for small containers to become hidden breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- It shares symptoms with Zika and Dengue, often causing confusion
- Mosquitoes are most active during the day, not at night
Why You Should Stay Informed
Chikungunya is no longer just a tropical illness. With changing climates, mosquito spread in Europe, and global travel, even places like Bulgaria could see cases, not today, but in the future.
Resources
- WHO Chikungunya Factsheet: who.int/chikungunya
- CDC Overview: cdc.gov/chikungunya
- ECDC Europe: ecdc.europa.eu/chikungunya
