Chikungunya virus: Deadly disease which can cause 'pain for years' is surging

A “nasty” disease which can cause pain for years isseeing a “worrying” rise, health experts warn.

The chikungunya virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause fever and joint paint. It has been spreading in southern China, with UK health authorities also reporting a surge in cases in the UK compared to last year.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne infection related to overseas travel, with symptoms including joint pain, swelling, muscle pain, nausea, a rash and fatigue. These symptoms can often be misdiagnosed due to their similarity to Dengue and the Zika virus.

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Recent reports indicate close to 10,000 cases have been recorded in China, with the cities of Foshan and Guangzhou badly affected. It is believed a severe monsoon this year has caused flooding which turned rain into pools of muddy and stagnant water, fertile ground for mosquito breeding that has allowed the disease to spread.

Most people who are infected with chikungunya recover fully within one to two weeks, but joint pain can persist for months or even years. Up to 12 per cent of patients experience discomfort for three years after infection.

Serious complications are uncommon, but very rarely the disease can be fatal. This is particularly true for the very young, older individuals and those with other underlying illnesses.

In England, there were a total of 73 cases reported in the period between January and June this year according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The 170 per cent rise eclipses the 27 recorded cases in the same period in 2024.

Experts also warn climate change could lead to an increase in cases of chikungunya in the years to come. That’s because more severe weather can be expected, causing heavier rains, more flooding and therefore the greater likelihood of the conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive.

But the climate, believed to be behind the rise of cases in China, is one reason why chikungunya is unlikely to spread much further in the UK.

“There are only two species of mosquito that transmit the disease and they are not established in the UK at present,” the UKHSA explains. “This is because our climate is generally not suitable for their survival and breeding. Therefore, there is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya in the UK.”

Despite the outbreak in China, the UKHSA also said that of the 73 cases, the majority had reported travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius “linked with ongoing local outbreaks in countries in the Indian Ocean region”. Every single case was reported in England, with most of them in London.

Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said chikungunya can be a “nasty disease” and that "we’re seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK".

He said: “While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer.”

Dr Veal urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling abroad, particularly in problem areas. In the US, where 46 travel-related cases have been reported in 2025, the Centres from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel warning for Guangdong Province in China.

Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK following advice for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation(JCVI). ‘IXCHIQ’ is available for individuals aged 18 to 59 years old, while ‘vimkunya’ is available for people aged 12 and older.

The vaccines are available to buy from travel clinics, following an assessment by a healthcare professional.

Dr Veal said: “It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk. Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro Website for the latest advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions.”