How is The Chikungunya Virus Spread?

How is the chikungunya virus spread?

People get chikungunya when bitten by a mosquito infected with the virus. Chikungunya is not spread from person to person. But mosquitoes pick up the virus when biting an infected person. If you have the infection, avoid getting new mosquito bites to keep the virus from spreading to others. Avoid travel too.

How concerned should I be about chikungunya?

Many people get better with no other symptoms after 1 to 2 weeks. But others may have joint and muscle pain for months or even years. This is called chronic chikungunya arthritis. It affects at least 40% of those who become infected with the virus.

Death from chikungunya is rare. But the virus can cause severe problems in some people. People at higher risk include older adults, those with long-term conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, young children, and pregnant people who might spread the virus to their babies.

Complications can include severe conditions of the eyes, heart and nerves. People who have been infected once are likely to be protected from future infections.