Overview
- Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus spread from person to person by the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Outbreaks, some of them very large, have occurred in many parts of the world, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- The virus can spread to new areas by infected travelers who are bitten by mosquitoes.
- The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
- For some people, joint pain can be disabling and can last for months.
- Death is rare, but severe disease is more likely in babies, people age 65 and older, and people with other significant health problems.
- There are no medicines to treat chikungunya. The best way to prevent it is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- International Travel: Vaccination is recommended for travelers to areas with ongoing chikungunya outbreaks and may be considered worthwhile for certain travelers at risk of severe disease in areas where chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in recent years. A travel health specialist can help decide when this vaccine is recommended.
Chikungunya Vaccine Schedule
A chikungunya vaccine is available in the United States for people age 12 years or older who need protection from chikungunya virus infection because of their travel plans or because they work with chikungunya virus in a laboratory. Vaccination requires a single dose. No booster dose is currently recommended. The vaccine may be given during pregnancy if needed. The vaccine does not contain live chikungunya virus; it is made of a virus-like particle and cannot cause chikungunya illness.
Partner Resources
General
Information about the causes and spread of chikungunya virus and how to prevent it.
Up-to-date information on chikungunya vaccines in the United States.
Questions and answers about chikungunya and vaccines from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Travel
Access the chikungunya chapter of the CDC Yellow Book for travel-associated infections and diseases. This resource is intended for healthcare professionals, but its information is also useful for travelers.
View countries and regions experiencing chikungunya outbreaks and those at increased risk of outbreaks, along with vaccine recommendations for travelers.
Find health and vaccine information by selecting any country.
Search for public health and private clinics that administer travel vaccines. This list may not include all locations that provide travel vaccines.
Facilities that administer yellow fever vaccine are authorized to issue an International Certificate of Vaccination (the “yellow card”) to meet requirements for proof of yellow fever vaccination. These facilities typically offer a wide range of vaccines travelers may need.
This directory of members of the International Society of Travel Medicine includes clinics that offer travel health services outside the United States. Users can search and filter lists by location and by services offered.