There have been many cases of the Chikungunya virus reported in the news lately. The Chikungunya virus is a virus that spreads to people through the bite of mosquitoes that are infected with the virus.  

Experts believe that the number of cases of the Chikungunya virus is underreported because its symptoms are like other diseases. Once only in Africa and Asia, the virus has affected more than 110 countries worldwide.  

Symptoms of chikungunya usually develop between three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some people have symptoms as early as two days or as long as 12 days after a mosquito bite. Fever and joint pain are the most common symptoms of the Chikungunya virus. The intensity of symptoms can vary depending on the person. Many people can feel crippling joint pain and develop a sudden fever. Other people may have mild symptoms that they mistake the virus for another illness or don’t visit a healthcare provider. Other symptoms of the Chikungunya virus include: 

• Headache 

• Muscle pain 

• Swelling in the joints 

• Rash 

• Fatigue 

• Nausea 

Most people can experience symptoms for about a week and go on to make a full recovery. However, the most common complication of the Chikungunya virus is chronic joint pain, which some people have reported for months or years after they were infected with the virus. 

Getting bitten by a mosquito infected with the chikungunya virus causes a person to get the virus. It is not spread from person to person through bodily fluids or contact. However, although rare, transmission of the virus is possible when coming into direct contact with infected blood. 

A person who has traveled to a country that has had a current outbreak or known transmissions is most likely to get the virus, so it is very important to check with your healthcare provider or with health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to see if you are at risk of getting the Chikungunya virus before you travel.  

Please note that pregnant women with the virus don’t transmit it to the fetus. There is also no evidence that shows the virus spreads to an infant through breast milk. However, women who are pregnant and near their due date should avoid traveling to countries with known cases because it may be passed to their baby during delivery.  

There have been cases of the chikungunya virus reported in the U.S., but it is rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 36 cases were reported in the U.S. in 2021. Almost all cases occur in people who have returned to the U.S. from countries with active outbreaks. Some places that have had outbreaks reported include countries in: 

• Africa 

• Asia 

• Europe 

• India 

• Islands in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian oceans 

• Central and South America 

Newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with certain health conditions are at risk for more severe complications from the virus. These health conditions include: 

• Diabetes 

• High blood pressure 

• Heart disease 

There have been several cases where a person has reported ongoing heart, eye, or neurological symptoms after recovering from the virus. Death from the virus is rare. 

Chikungunya virus is diagnosed when a healthcare provider performs a blood test after you have let them know that you have been experiencing symptoms of the virus, and if you have recently traveled to an area of the world that is known to have chikungunya transmission.  

Treatment for the Chikungunya virus focuses on managing the infected person’s symptoms. Treatments include: 

• Drinking plenty of fluids 

• Getting a lot of rest 

• Taking acetaminophen for pain. Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin until your healthcare provider makes a diagnosis 

Most people feel better within one week of their first symptoms. However, despite some people reporting ongoing joint pain for several months or years, most evidence suggests that once you’ve had the Chikungunya virus, you are unlikely to get it again because you develop immunity to the virus. 

There is no cure for the Chikungunya virus, but the illness is temporary. However, it can be prevented by getting the vaccine, avoiding mosquitoes, and being especially cautious when traveling to areas where outbreaks of the virus are more common. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of the Chikungunya virus, you can receive treatment from a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.