Chikungunya virus: travel warning after outbreak of painful mosquito virus in popular tourist destination
It causes flu-like symptoms and joint pains that can last for ‘several months or even years’ 🦟
- Health authorities in the US have issued a Level 2 warning for travel to the Seychelles over an outbreak of chikungunya.
- The mosquito-borne virus causes flu-like symptoms and joint pains that can last for ‘several months or even years’.
- Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK.
An outbreak of a mosquito-borne virus that can leave people with intense joint pain that can last for “several months or even years” has been reported in a popular tourist hotspot.
Cases of the chikungunya virus have been confirmed in the Seychelles. According to local health authorities, the virus has become more prevalent in the archipelago, with the Centre of Disease Control in the US issuing a level 2 travel warning.
The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) expects cases will continue to rise, with several imported cases to EU countries linked to travel to the Seychelles reported since December 2025.
As local authorities in the archipelago urge precaution, here is everything you need to know about chikungunya and how to avoid catching it when travelling.
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that spreads through bites from the Aedes mosquitoes. It is found in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands.
The infection is not common in Europe, but due to rising temperatures, it has been found in Italy and France.
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
The symptoms of chikungunya usually begin four to eight days after being bitten by a mosquito. They begin with a high temperature and intense joint pains. With additional symptoms including a rash, headache, feeling tired (fatigued), feeling sick (nausea), and muscle pains.
Serious complications and death are rare, with babies, young children, older people and those with co-existing health conditions more susceptible.
People who catch chikungunya usually feel better after a few days or a week. However, some may experience ongoing joint pain and arthritis for several months or even years after the initial infection. There have also been cases of eye, neurological, heart and gastrointestinal complaints occuring.
What is the treatment for chikungunya?
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya; the main way to avoid catching the virus is to protect yourself against getting bitten.
The Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, particularly around dawn and dusk. To protect yourself, apply a DEET-based insect repellent to exposed skin and wear light cover-up clothing.
If you are travelling to an area known for chikungunya cases, two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK, for the prevention of infection for certain travellers.
To be eligible, you must either be travelling to regions with active outbreaks, a long-term or frequent traveller to regions with chikungunya transmission in the past five years or a laboratory staff member working with the virus.
If you are planning to travel to an area where there is an active chikungunya outbreak, speak to a health professional before travelling about what options are available to protect yourself.
Chikungunya cases have been confirmed in the Seychelles. You can find out all about how to prevent catching chikungunya while travelling at the National Travel Health Network Centre.