As international travel continues to increase in 2025, a new study sheds light on the spread of Chikungunya infections in Europe over the past 20 years. The research details the disease’s characteristics, its spread, and how it manifests in different individuals.
First identified during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952, the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti species. While it is not considered a hemorrhagic fever virus, CHIKV is often mistaken for diseases like dengue or yellow fever due to similar symptoms.
From 2007 to 2023, Europe saw around 4,730 Chikungunya outbreaks across 22 countries, with middle-aged women being the most affected. These outbreaks followed a seasonal pattern, peaking during summer months, coinciding with increased travel during vacations.
Among European countries, the United Kingdom reported the highest number of cases, accounting for 21.9% of the total, followed by France (19.6%), Germany (14.5%), and Italy (13.6%).
Published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases on March 7, 2025, the study, authored by Qian Liu, Hong Shen, Li Gu, Hui Yuan, and Wentao Zhu, found that most Chikungunya cases were linked to travel. Of the total 2,836 travel-related cases, the majority were contracted in North America (835 cases), followed by Asia (672 cases) and South America (316 cases). The countries with the most cases included India (11.7%), the Dominican Republic (9.0%), Guadeloupe (8.7%), and Thailand (7.8%).
In 2024, outbreaks were reported in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Telangana, highlighting the ongoing spread of the disease. The study also noted that, prior to the first local cases of Chikungunya in mainland Europe in 2007, a significant number of cases occurred between March 2005 and June 2006 in France’s overseas territories, where the virus is still active.
As of March 9, 2025, an unusual spike in Chikungunya cases was reported on La Reunion, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported 49,791 Chikungunya cases and two fatalities in the Americas this year. In 2024, 425,138 cases and 236 related deaths were reported in the region.
Chikungunya currently has no specific treatment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that certain travelers receive a preventive vaccine to reduce the risk. In 2025, the CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Health Advisory, recommending vaccination for travelers visiting areas with active Chikungunya outbreaks.
The CDC and PAHO encourage travelers to consult a vaccine expert at least a month before their trip to ensure protection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the IXCHIQ® vaccine, which is now available for sale in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia.
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