Travel health advice for chikungunya viral disease

Chikungunya viral disease (CHIKVD) was identified in the 1950s, but was mainly present only in Asia and Africa. However, since a recent global outbreak, it has gained greater attention and has spread to over 100 countries, covering most continents. With this wider global distribution, it has become imperative that those working in travel medicine are aware of CHIKVD. It is transmitted through day-biting mosquitoes and the key clinical presentations are sudden onset of high fever and often debilitating muscle and joint pains. There is no curative treatment, and the symptoms can only be managed. The key prevention strategies are effective insect bite avoidance and, for those at greatest risk, there are now two UK licensed vaccines.