Global Chikungunya Activity

Released: July 20, 2009

• Travel Health Notice
• About Chikungunya
• Where is Chikungunya a Concern?
• Recommendations for Travellers
• Don't Forget...
• Other Related Information

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Travel Health Notice

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that travellers practice personal protective measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites if going to countries where there is a risk of chikungunya infection.

Chikungunya occurs mainly in areas of Africa and Asia and the Indian subcontinent. A number of countries with current or recent outbreaks of chikungunya include India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

About Chikungunya

• Chikungunya is a viral disease, which typically causes fever along with an arthritis-like pain in the joints.
• It is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly the mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.  
• Symptoms can take up to 12 days to appear, however in most cases symptoms will begin within 3-7 days of infection.
• Most people recover after a few days, though in some cases joint pain may persist for weeks or months.

For additional information on chikungunya, see PHAC Fact Sheet: Chikungunya.

Where is Chikungunya a Concern?

• Chikungunya occurs in Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
• In recent years the mosquito vectors have spread to Europe and the Americas.  In 2007, there was a localized outbreak in north-eastern Italy.

For a map outlining the regions where there is a risk of chikungunya, please see the World Health Organization – Countries or areas at risk.

Recommendations for Travellers

It is recommended that you:

1. Protect yourself from mosquito bites, particularly during peak mosquito activity at dawn and at dusk.
   1. Cover up:
      • Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved, tucked-in shirts, long pants, shoes (not sandals) and a hat.
   2. Use insect repellent on exposed skin:
      • Insect repellents that contain DEET are the most effective;
      • Use as directed by the manufacturer;
      • Do not apply to cuts, scrapes, abrasions or irritated skin;
      • Do not spray directly on your face;
      • Wash your hands after you apply insect repellent to avoid contact with your lips and eyes;
      • Do not use products that contain both insect repellent and sunscreen;
      • If you want to use sunscreen and an insect repellent with DEET, apply the sunscreen first.  Let it soak into your skin for about 20 minutes, then apply repellent with DEET;
      • Wash off repellent at the end of the day, before you go to bed.
   3. Consider your accommodations:
      • Stay in a well-screened or completely enclosed air-conditioned room.
   4. Apply a permethrin insecticide to mosquito netting for greater protection:
      • Permethrin-treated clothing is effective for up to two weeks or six washings.
      • Although permethrin is not available in Canada, travel health clinics can advise you how to purchase permethrin and pre-treated gear before or during your trip. This could be considered for playpens, cribs or strollers to protect babies and children.

More information on precautions to take to avoid mosquito bites while travelling

Don't Forget …

1. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
4. Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

• Public Health Agency of Canada - Fact Sheet on Chikungunya
• CATMAT - Statement on Personal Protective Measures to Prevent Arthropod Bites
• World Health Organization – Fact Sheet on Chikungunya