Chikungunya, the Traveling Virus

Chikungunya virus is an arbovirus transmitted principally by the Aedes mosquitoes. An infection with the virus causes fever, severe arthralgias, and rash. The virus caused a large outbreak on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean in 2006, along with an outbreak in India. One of its vectors, Aedes albopictus, has established itself in southern Europe and the United States. With the vector in place, it was feared that outbreaks of chikungunya could occur outside the tropics in temperate climates. Travelers returning to Italy provided the source of virus in the summer of 2007, resulting in the first outbreak of this disease in Europe. This review will discuss the history of chikungunya infections, the roles of its vectors and globalization in its transmission, and preventative measures to control the effects of the virus.