Diseases spread by Mosquitos
What is Chikungunya
Mode of Transmission
Chikungunya can be spread from a bite of an infected Mosquito
Chikungunya is transmitted mainly through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes often bite during the day, with activity commonly peaking in the early morning and late afternoon.
It is not usually spread directly from person to person through casual contact, food, water, coughing, or sex. A mosquito becomes infected after biting a person who has the virus in their blood, then can pass it to another person in a later bite.
Affected areas
- The Americas: especially parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Brazil has been a major hotspot in recent reporting.
- Africa: long-established in parts of East, West, and southern Africa; recent outbreaks have included Mauritius, Kenya, Comoros, Senegal, Somalia, and Madagascar.
- Asia and the Indian Ocean: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and islands such as Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius have all had outbreaks.
- Southeast/East Asia and the Pacific: outbreaks or local transmission have occurred in countries including Indonesia and China; in 2025, Guangdong Province in China had a very large outbreak.
What vaccines are available for prevention?
Time scale
In the UK, two chikungunya vaccines are licensed:
- Vimkunya — a single-dose, non-live vaccine, which may be offered from age 12+.
- IXCHIQ — a single-dose live vaccine for certain immunocompetent adults aged 18–59.
They are not routine vaccines for everyone travelling abroad. UK guidance says they may be considered for people travelling to an area with an active outbreak, or for long-term/frequent travel to places with chikungunya transmission in the past five years.
IXCHIQ has important restrictions: it should not be used in people aged 60+, people who are immunosuppressed, or people with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
Allow at least 2 weeks before travelling for vaccination to be effective
Preventing Infection
- Use of insect/mosquito repelling products containing DEET 50% and Picaridin 20%
- Appropriate clothing to be worn which covers legs and long sleees
- Taking measures to prevent bites
- Vaccination by your pharmacist
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Travel vaccination at Crighton pharmacy are normally given on the day of appointment, if you need further information about the service call or pop in store.