Bolivia's Travel Alert Continues for Chikungunya Outbreak

The chikungunya epidemic in Bolivia's Santa Cruz department appears to be easing slightly. The Departmental Health Service (SEDES) has reported a noticeable decline in new cases of this mosquito-transmitted virus.

According to SEDES epidemiologist Carlos Hurtado, the latest epidemiological week recorded 655 positive chikungunya cases, a decrease of approximately 300 cases compared to the previous week.

This brings the cumulative total for 2026 in Santa Cruz, the primary epicenter of the outbreak in Bolivia, to 4,283 positive cases.

Despite this decline, the positivity rate remains high at 51%, indicating that more than half of those tested are infected with the East/Central/South African genotype of the chikungunya virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Santa Cruz and Cochabamba due to the outbreak. They advise travelers to use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, and consider vaccination where appropriate.

Bolivia is not alone in reporting chikungunya cases this year.

Recent data indicate that over 29,000 cases and 85 chikungunya-related fatalities have been reported by early March.

As of March 9, 2026, the main available vaccine option in the United States and select countries is VIMKUNYA®, a non-live virus-like particle vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S.

This travel vaccine was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2025 and is commercially available at travel clinics and pharmacies.