Chikungunya

Chikungunya Vaccination: Do you need it for your trip?

Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are found in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The disease occasionally occurs in southern Europe as well.
You can prevent a disease by avoiding mosquito bites.
Since 2025 you’ve also had the option to get vaccinated. For some travellers this may be a wise choice.

What is chikungunya?

Chikungunya is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can also carry other viruses, including dengue and the zika virus. Aedes mosquitoes are primarily found in tropical regions but nowadays people sometimes become infected by chikungunya in Southern Europe or the southern part of North America as well. When you are infected, symptoms often begin very suddenly. Chikungunya is rarely fatal.

Symptoms of chikungunya

Symptoms of chikungunya can begin anywhere from one day to two weeks after infection most people notice the first symptoms between three and seven days after infection the most common symptoms of chikungunya are:

• (sudden) High fever
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Skin Rash

The symptoms usually go away after one to three weeks, except for the joint pain.

Joint pain mainly affects the hands and the feet and can last a long time some people experience this for months, but it can also last for years symptoms are often more severe in other adults and people with weakened immune system.

In which countries does Chikungunya occur?

Chikungunya is found in parts of:

• Asia
• Africa
• Central and South America
• The Caribbean

Nowadays chikungunya is sometimes also found in the southern part of North America and in Southern Europe.

The risk of infection varies by country, region and seasoned

Popular travel destinations where Chikungunya Occurs

Thailand
Mosquito-borne diseases are present in parts of Thailand. Are you travelling around or staying a for a long period? If so it’s wise to seek personalised advice.

Bali and Indonesia
Mosquito-borne diseases occur in Indonesia including Bali. Effective protections against mosquitoes is important.

Suriname
Various vaccinations are recommended to for travel to Suriname. Chikungunya may also be part of the recommendation.

Curacao and the Carribean
Outbreaks can occur in the Carribean. We’d be happy to provide you with more information.

Brazil
In Brazil the risk varies depending on the region. Personalised travel advice is recommended.

Sri Lanka/India
Chikungunya is als presents in parts of South Asia.

Is vaccination against chikungunya necessary?

There are currently two types of chikungunya vaccines available in the Netherlands. Which vaccine is most suitable and how long it provides protection varies by person and situation. Whether you need this vaccine depends on your personal situations.

Vaccinations may be advisable for

• older adults.
• people with underlying health condition.
• travellers staying for an extended period in a high risk area or an area where outbreaks occur.
• travellers who expect to be exposed to mosquitoes frequently.

In general vaccination is only recommended during chikungunya outbreaks.

During your appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl,  the travel nurse will discuss the risks of your trip and which vaccinations might be advisable for you.

How can you protect yourself from infection?

The most important way to protect yourself against chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites.  This also protects you against other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

The mosquito that spread chikungunya is mainly achieved during the day, but make sure you’re well protected at night as well, as that’s when the malaria mosquitoes are most active. You can prevent mosquito bites by:

• using mosquito repellents such as DEET
• wearing protective clothing
• sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net
• avoiding areas with high mosquito populations such as stagnant water

In addition, you can choose to get vaccinated against chikungunya. Whether this is recommended for you depends on your health, travel plans and destinations. The travel nurse will discuss this with you during your appointment.

Chikunya and the tiger mosquito

One of the mosquitoes that can spread chikungunya is the tiger mosquito. This mosquito is now also found in southern Europe. In The Netherlands, the tiger mosquito is still rare, and the only know cases of Dutch people who have contracted chikungunya are those who were infected while abroad.