Can International Travelers Recognize Chikungunya Infection

There is a global resurgence of chikungunya that started with increasing outbreaks in the Indian Ocean islands in March 2025, which has continued into mid-August.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these outbreaks mirror trends seen 20 years ago when a major outbreak began in the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting nearly half a million people.

Recent estimates suggest that 5.6 billion people live in areas suitable for the spread of diseases carried by the Aedes mosquito, including chikungunya.

In the Region of the Americas, over 209,000 cases and three related fatalities have already been confirmed in 2025.

In the United States, Florida has reported four travel-related cases of chikungunya confirmed this year. The countries of origin were Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Eleven instances of chikungunya were confirmed in Florida in 2024

To clarify how this mosquito-borne disease is transmitted during international travel, the WHO published a new Q&A on August 8, 2025, with information for the public on the disease, how it spreads, its symptoms, treatment, prevention, and more.

Additionally, the WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend that those traveling to an area reporting chikungunya cases speak with a travel vaccine expert regarding prevention options.