Chikungunya Detected on Long Island

Beginning in 2014, chikungunya, a serious viral disease, was reported among United States-based travelers returning from affected areas in the Region of the Americas. Since then,

As of October 2025, the World Health Organization stated 155 chikungunya-related fatalities have been reported globally from 40 countries this year.

Recently, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announced that a case of locally acquired chikungunya has been confirmed in Nassau County on Long Island.

According to NYSDOH's press release on October 14, 2025, this marks the first locally acquired case of chikungunya reported in New York State. 

While this case is classified as locally acquired based on current information, the precise source of exposure is not known. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, known to transmit the chikungunya virus, is present in parts of downstate New York.

Nassau County, with a population exceeding 1.3 million residents, is a suburban county located immediately to the east of New York City.

Local transmission can occur when an A. albopictus mosquito bites an infected traveler, becomes infected, and bites another person. However, the disease cannot be spread directly from one person to another, says the NYSDOH.

"Our Wadsworth Center has confirmed this test result, which is the first known case of locally acquired Chikungunya in New York State. Given the much colder nighttime temperatures, the current risk in New York is very low." State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald commented.

"We urge everyone to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites."

In 2025, 88 travel-related cases have been reported in the USA.

In New York, there have been three additional chikungunya cases outside New York City that were all linked to international travel to regions with active chikungunya infections.

The U.S. CDC says the best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. 

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease most common in tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms include fever and joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

People at higher risk for severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, adults aged 65 and older, and individuals with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.

Some U.S. travelers (pregnant women) can use this information to help decide if they should avoid visiting chikungunya outbreak areas.

The CDC recommends vaccination for some travelers.

Local travel clinics and pharmacies commercailly offer U.S. FDA-approved chikungunya vaccines.