Chikungunya virus
Key facts
- Chikungunya is a virus spread by bites from infected mosquitos.
- It is most common in Africa, Asia and the West Pacific.
- Australians are usually infected while travelling overseas.
- Symptoms include joint pain, fever and possible long-term joint problems.
- No vaccine is available, so prevent mosquito bites to reduce your risk of getting chikungunya.
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is an infection caused by a virus. You can catch it if you are bitten by an infected mosquito. The virus is spread by two types of mosquitos:
- the Dengue mosquito
- the Asian Tiger mosquito
The mosquito becomes infected when it bites someone with chikungunya. It can then pass it on to other people a few days later.
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
If you have a baby under 3 months old with a fever above 38℃, take them to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Symptoms usually show up 3 to 7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Sometimes it can take as long as 12 days for symptoms to develop.
The most common symptoms include:
- joint pain
- joint swelling and stiffness
- fever
Other symptoms may include:
- muscle pain
- headache
- a rash on your body and limbs, lasting for a week or more
- nausea
- tiredness
You're likely to start feeling better within 1 to 2 weeks. Joint pain and inflammation may last for months or even years.
Chikungunya can be more serious for:
- people over 65 years of age
- those with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart conditions
- newborn babies
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes chikungunya?
Chikungunya is caused by a virus that is spread by a bite from an infected mosquito. It cannot spread directly from person to person.
Australians are most likely to get chikungunya while traveling overseas to regions such as:
- Africa
- the Indian subcontinent
- Southeast Asia
- the Pacific region
- the Caribbean
If you're travelling to these regions, you should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
In Australia, mosquitos that are able to carry chikungunya are found in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands. However, the disease hasn't been spread by mosquitos in Australia yet.
When should I see my doctor?
If you feel unwell and have a fever after travelling to a tropical area, see your doctor. Also see your doctor if you have symptoms of chikungunya or if you are concerned.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is chikungunya diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine you and may order a blood test to confirm whether you have chikungunya.
Sometimes people with chikungunya are mistakenly diagnosed with another mosquito-borne disease, such as:
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is chikungunya treated?
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya. You can take pain-relief medicines to help with joint pain.
Most people feel unwell for a couple of weeks and then get better without treatment.
You should avoid anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen until dengue fever has been ruled out. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding if you have dengue fever.
If you have chikungunya, it is important to avoid mosquito bites while you have a fever. This is because you could pass the infection on to the mosquito, which can then spread the virus to other people.
In parts of Queensland, a medical professional might contact you and may send a mosquito-control team to visit.
What are the complications of chikungunya?
Most people recover fully in a few weeks. Some people may feel tired or have joint pain for several months or even years.
Occasionally, severe complications affecting your heart and nervous system can occur, especially in older people who have other health conditions.
Deaths due to chikungunya are rare.
Can chikungunya be prevented?
There is no vaccine to prevent chikungunya. You can reduce your risk of infection by avoiding mosquito bites. Here's how:
- Close windows or cover them with mosquito nets or screens. Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms or use treated bed nets when travelling.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured shirts with long sleeves, long trousers and enclosed shoes.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) or picaridin. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
- Avoid or remove anything where water can lie still, such as leaf litter, debris and containers, as mosquitos breed in water.
Resources and support
The New South Wales Government offers fact sheets on:
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
The World Health Organization provides a chikungunya factsheet in multiple languages.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate near you.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: September 2024
