A resident in the suburbs of New York City has tested positive for chikungunya, a virus typically spread by mosquitoes that has largely been absent from the U.S. mainland for the past decade.
Health authorities reported that the individual, who began experiencing symptoms in August, had traveled beyond the local area but not internationally. It’s believed that the infection came from a mosquito bite, although the exact location of the infection remains unclear, as there haven’t been any detections of the virus in local mosquito populations. Notably, chikungunya is not transmitted directly from person to person.
Here’s a brief overview of chikungunya:
What is chikungunya?
This disease is caused by the chikungunya virus. It was first identified during an outbreak in Tanzania back in 1952. The name itself comes from a word in the Makonde language, which translates to “that which bends up,” highlighting the intense pain it can inflict.
Chikungunya spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes and generally leads to mild symptoms. Most individuals recover within one to two weeks without needing medical care.
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
Common symptoms include fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, and rashes. Occasionally, some patients experience severe joint pain that lingers for months or even years. Those who become critically ill may require hospitalization due to potential organ damage.
The World Health Organization indicates that serious cases and fatalities are rare, often impacting infants or older adults with existing health issues.
Is there a treatment or vaccine?
Currently, no specific treatment exists for chikungunya, but symptomatic relief can be provided through medications to lower fever or ease pain. Two vaccines have received approval in various regions, such as Britain, Brazil, Canada, and Europe, primarily aimed at travelers and not widely accessible in areas most affected by the disease.
Where does chikungunya normally occur?
Chikungunya commonly causes outbreaks in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with occasional small-scale epidemics in Europe. As of August, around 317,000 cases had been reported globally this year, leading to 135 deaths across 16 different countries and territories, as noted by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru saw the highest infection rates.
What’s happening in the United States?
The confirmed case in New York marks the first locally acquired infection in the U.S. since 2015, indicating that the individual contracted the virus without traveling elsewhere. In 2013, a case was reported in Texas, while two instances were documented in U.S. territories in 2019.
This is also the first locally acquired chikungunya case ever identified in New York, according to the state’s Health Department.
Health officials emphasized that transmission occurs when a mosquito bites an infected traveler, becomes infected itself, and then bites another individual. The Aedes albopictus mosquito, known for spreading chikungunya, is present in parts of downstate New York. Residents are advised to wear long sleeves and eliminate standing water around their homes to reduce biting risks.
However, current cooler nighttime temperatures in New York contribute to a “very low” risk of transmission, noted state Health Commissioner James McDonald.
While locally acquired cases have been rare in recent years, the CDC has tracked several travel-related infections, reporting 199 cases in 2024 and 152 in 2023.
Are we seeing more chikungunya outbreaks?
Indeed, the frequency of outbreaks has risen since 2000, paralleling increases in other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika, according to Robert Jones, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Jones recalled that chikungunya first appeared in St. Martin in 2013, leading to confirmed cases in nearly 50 Caribbean and American countries over the next three years, with more than 1 million suspected cases.
He further indicated that the risk of chikungunya epidemics is growing due to factors like climate change and urban development.
