Chikungunya outbreak warning: Don't underestimate mosquito bites.

Chikungunya outbreaks are on the rise.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Chikungunya epidemic is increasing worldwide, with several large outbreaks on islands in the Indian Ocean and spreading to many countries in Africa, South Asia, and Europe.

On July 22, the World Health Organization also warned about the rapid spread of Chikungunya and issued a call for action to prevent its spread.

Currently, Chikungunya outbreaks are on the rise in several countries in the region, particularly in China. In China, approximately 8,000 people have been infected with Chikungunya in the past four weeks. The vast majority of cases are concentrated in Guangdong province. China has been forced to implement strict control measures, including mosquito eradication campaigns, to contain the Chikungunya outbreak.

The disease was first discovered in Tanzania in 1952 and subsequently spread to other African countries. Between the 1970s and 2004, cases of viral infection began to be recorded in Asia and continued to expand its reach.

The World Health Organization says that while not a widely known disease, it has now been detected and is spreading in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk.

As of July 2025, there were approximately 240,000 infections and 90 deaths in 16 countries and territories, including those in Asia and Southeast Asia.

Chikungunya disease has previously appeared in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, epidemiological studies have documented Chikungunya outbreaks dating back several decades. Between 2010 and 2014, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, surveyed 8,105 children with acute fever across seven hospitals in the southern region. The results revealed four cases of Chikungunya, identified as belonging to the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype, similar to the strain detected in Cambodia in 2011.

In 2015, serological surveys of 546 samples in An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Lak, and Hue showed that 3.72-10% of the population had been infected with Chikungunya, mainly in the over-30 age group. This indicates that the disease had been circulating since around the 1980s, but there was no longer evidence of transmission at the time of the survey.

From 2017 to 2019, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Nagasaki University (Japan), conducted research in 31 provinces and cities. They recorded that 46.4% of serum samples contained Chikungunya antibodies and 27.7% of PCR samples were positive. Genetic sequencing results also confirmed the genotype as ECSA. The research team concluded that the disease is prevalent in Vietnam at a significant rate and requires regular monitoring.

At this time, although Vietnam has not recorded any community cases of Chikungunya, the Ministry of Health assesses the risk of the disease entering and spreading rapidly as very high. This is due to the peak season of Aedes mosquitoes (the disease vector), favorable weather and climate conditions, low community immunity, and the high number of tourists traveling to and from Vietnam.

Many dangerous complications

Dr. Chu Trong Trang, Director of the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control, stated: The cause of the disease is the Chikungunya virus – a type of virus belonging to the Togaviridae family, Alphavirus genus. This virus is not transmitted from person to person through normal contact. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – frequently found in tropical and subtropical regions. These two mosquito species can also transmit other viruses to humans, such as dengue fever and Zika virus.

Symptoms typically appear 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, in some cases, symptoms may appear earlier (around 2 days) or later (around 12 days) from the time of mosquito transmission. The symptoms are almost identical to those of dengue fever and Zika.

After an incubation period, patients begin to experience acute symptoms such as: High fever above 38.5°C, lasting about 2-3 days; Joint pain, commonly in the hands, wrists, knees, and ankles; Skin rash; Headache in the forehead area, general fatigue; Nausea or vomiting, possibly accompanied by loss of appetite…

Anyone can be infected with the Chikungunya virus if bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk, such as infants, people over 65, and those with underlying health conditions.

Mild cases of this condition may resolve spontaneously. The average recovery time is approximately 7-10 days. Some elderly patients or those with underlying medical conditions may experience joint pain for several weeks to months after recovery.

Although most people infected with the Chikungunya virus recover within a few weeks, in some cases, the disease can lead to serious complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Some possible complications include: chronic joint pain; complications affecting the eyes, heart, and nervous system such as encephalitis, myocarditis, retinitis… In severe cases, patients may die (the mortality rate is below 0.1%, quite low compared to other infectious diseases).

Currently, there is no specific cure for Chikungunya; treatment primarily focuses on controlling symptoms and supporting recovery. Doctors may prescribe pain relievers and fever reducers, advise patients to drink plenty of fluids and maintain adequate nutrition, and recommend complete rest during periods of high fever and sufficient sleep.

Actively eliminate mosquitoes to prevent disease.

According to Dr. Chu Trong Trang, to proactively prevent and control Chikungunya disease, the Ministry of Health has advised people returning from countries and regions experiencing an increase in Chikungunya outbreaks to monitor their health for 12 days. If any unusual symptoms (such as sudden high fever, joint pain, rash, etc.) appear, they should immediately go to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and timely treatment.

People traveling or working in areas where Chikungunya outbreaks are on the rise should take proactive measures to avoid mosquito bites. They should also monitor their health and notify health authorities if they experience symptoms similar to Chikungunya.

The Ministry of Health has also issued a document requesting localities to increase surveillance of Chikungunya outbreaks at border gates, especially in areas where people return from affected regions, as well as in the community. When suspected cases are detected, samples should be taken for timely testing; thorough investigation and handling of outbreaks are necessary to prevent further spread, and mosquito control should be carried out in border areas and communities.

The Ministry of Health also directed the integration of Chikungunya prevention and control with dengue fever through campaigns to eliminate mosquito larvae. All households in dengue fever outbreak areas and high-risk areas need to have their water containers and discarded items – where mosquitoes often breed – inspected. In addition, localities need to develop contingency plans and prepare resources to be ready to respond when necessary.pandemichappen.

Following the directives of the Ministry of Health, Nghe An province has been actively implementing preventive measures such as strengthening surveillance.pandemicat border crossings; monitoring suspected cases in the community; conducting regular and unscheduled monitoring of disease vectors (Aedes mosquitoes); intensifying campaigns to eliminate mosquito larvae and pupae in the community; actively engaging in communication...

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To prevent Chikungunya, all citizens need to take measures to control and eliminate mosquitoes; remove items that hold stagnant water around their living areas such as bottles, plant pots, and tire casings; regularly clean water containers and jars to break the mosquito breeding cycle; use mosquito nets when sleeping, wear long-sleeved shirts; and use mosquito repellent cream and electric mosquito rackets.

People also need to actively cooperate with the health sector in mosquito control spraying campaigns. If you have a fever, go immediately to a medical facility for examination and advice; absolutely do not self-treat at home.

Dr. Chu Trong Trang - Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Nghe An Province