Chikungunya is a virus. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In southern Tanzania, the illness was initially identified in 1952 during an outbreak. The term "chikungunya" is derived from a verb that means "to become deformed" in the Kimakonde language of southern Tanzania and refers to the hunched posture of people experiencing joint discomfort (arthralgia).

What causes chikungunya disease?

It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito that resembles dengue illness. Aedes mosquitoes are the primary vectors of the Chikungunya virus.

Is the disease contagious?

The Chikungunya virus is not contagious (it cannot be spread directly from person to person).