Chikungunya (pronunciation: chik-en-gun-ye) virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes.
Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. Recently outbreaks have included Pakistan, Bolivia and Paraquay.
The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection.
Protection against bites is the only reliable means of prevention.
Methods of bite avoidance include:
Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin.
The use of insect repellent containing DEET applied to any exposed skin.
The use of permethrin, impregnated mosquito nets.
The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.
Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around the home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water).