The chikungunya virus is resurging in various parts of the world. In response to the increasing number of cases, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel alerts for China and several other countries. The CDC is warning American travelers about the risks, particularly in regions where the mosquito-borne virus is rapidly spreading. China has been significantly affected by the chikungunya outbreak, with 7,000 cases reported. According to reports, approximately 240,000 cases of chikungunya have been recorded this year across Central and South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean region, and parts of Asia. Tragically, this has resulted in 90 deaths. For example, Guangdong province in southern China has recorded over 7,000 cases since June 2025, in a city with a population of about 7.8 million. In addition, the first case of chikungunya in Hong Kong since 2019 was recently identified.
The CDC has issued a Level-2 Travel Health Notice, advising increased precautions due to the rising cases of chikungunya. This includes countries such as Bolivia in South America, Guangdong province in China, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean region. Furthermore, the CDC has also issued warnings for American travelers regarding Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Chikungunya is not uncommon in the United States. However, according to CDC data, before 2006, chikungunya infections were very rare among American travelers. From 2006-2013, an average of 28 people in the United States were confirmed to have contracted the chikungunya virus each year. These were all travelers who had arrived in or returned to the United States from affected areas in Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean. The CDC states that there have been no locally spread cases in the US since 2019. Nevertheless, 199 and 46 American citizens have been reported to have contracted the virus while traveling in 2024 and the current year, respectively.
