Public Health Agency of Canada
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Chikungunya
July 2010
Chikungunya
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease which typically causes fever along with an arthritis-like pain in the joints. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Cause
The chikungunya virus.
Risk to Travellers
Travellers are at risk when visiting areas where chikungunya is found and in areas being affected by chikungunya outbreak.
Severity
Most patients recover after a few days but for some, joint pain may persist for weeks or months.
Complications are more common among the elderly, newborn children and those with compromised immune systems and chronic medical conditions.
Chikungunya is rarely fatal.
Prevention
There is no vaccine against chikungunya.
The best way to prevent infection with chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya. Medication can be provided for relief of symptoms.
Symptoms
- Can take up to 12 days to appear, but usually begin within 3-7 days of infection.
- Include fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and rash.
- Most people recover after a few days, though in some cases joint pain may persist for weeks or months.
- Gastrointestinal, eye, neurological and heart complications have occasionally been reported.
Transmission
- Chikungunya is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
- Mosquitoes that carry chikungunya bite mainly during the daytime, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
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.
A map of the areas where chikungunya occurs 
is available from the website of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Related Travel Health Notices
None
Recommendations for Travellers
Protect yourself from mosquito bites, particularly during peak mosquito biting times in the early morning and late afternoon.
Don't Forget…
- Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
- What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
- What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
- Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.
Other Related Information
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Information Sheet: Chikungunya Fever
- World Health Organization -
Fact Sheet on Chikungunya - World Health Organization - Chikungunya, countries or areas at risk (2008)
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