WHO raises concern about spread of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
An estimated 5.6-billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain and long-term disability, Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer, told reporters in Geneva.
'We are seeing history repeating itself,' she said, drawing parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic which affected nearly half a million people, primarily in small island territories, before spreading around the world.
The recent surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius.
An estimated one-third of La Reunion's population has been infected, Rojas Alvarez said. The virus is spreading to countries Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, including India.
Of particular concern is the increasing number of imported cases and recent local transmission within Europe.
There have been about 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1, Rojas Alvarez said.
At least 12 local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy.
Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the 'tiger mosquito' which also transmits dengue, and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing.
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