Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus. It is widespread in many continents, particularly Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It has also been reported in parts of the Americas and some European countries, including Italy and France. Most epidemics occur during the rainy season.

Symptoms

Fever and severe joint pains. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pains, rashes, fatigue and nausea.

How do you catch chikungunya?
Infected daytime-biting mosquitos transmit the virus. Peak times tend to be early morning and late afternoon.

Incubation period
4 – 8 days

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and confirmed by a blood test.

Prevention
Chikungunya is prevented by avoiding mosquito bites, through use of an effective insect repellent and wearing long, loose-fitting clothing. A single dose of Chikungunya Fever vaccination can be considered by travellers who are at high risk of infection.

Treatment
Symptoms resolve with time but rest and painkillers can help.

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Vaccination options

Two vaccines are available:

IXCHIQ® is a live vaccine, for individuals 18-60 years old. Not suitable for everyone.

Vimkunya® is a virus like particle vaccine for individuals 12 years and older.

Level of protection:

IXCHIQ Sero-response 98.9% one month after vaccination reducing to 96.6% after 3 years.

Vimkunya demonstrated a Sero-response of 98% after vaccination falling to 86% at 6 months. In adults over 65 years, a Sero-response of 87% was detected 22 days after vaccination which reduced to 76% at 6 months.

Protection duration: The need for a booster has not yet been established.

How is it given: IXCHIQ 0.5ml intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle. Vimkunya 0.8ml intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle.

Ideally start: IXCHIQ ideally 30 days prior to departure and Vimkunya ideally two weeks prior to departure.

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Did you know?

  • Chikungunya predominantly occurred in tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa. However, in recent year, it has spread to parts of Europe and the USA.
  • Emptying containers of standing water will help in the reduction of mosquito breeding areas
  • The name 'chikungunya' comes from the Swahili term for a stooped walk, in reference to the joint pain experienced during the illness

Clinical Oversight By:

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross is the Medical Director at MASTA and has been associated with the company since 2005. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1983 and graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1986. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John. He was the senior advisor on public health from 2012–2023 to the UK Surgeon General. He retired from the Army in October 2024, after 41 years active service.

Professor David Ross was Director of Education, Honorary Secretary, and Vice Dean before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow) in October 2024. Recent travel medicine research interests have included malaria prevention and tuberculosis screening. He was Chief Examiner of the Diploma of Medicine in Conflict & Catastrophes at the Society of Apothecaries until 2024, is Chair of the Final UK MFPH and an Examiner at the UK Faculty of Public Health.

The last few years of his military working life were dominated by supporting the international and national public health response to COVID-19, where he managed many large COVID outbreaks both overseas and in the UK. David also led research into risk factors for mental ill health in the UK Army and for this was awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow in 2024.