The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert, warning that mosquitoes carrying the chikungunya virus are rapidly spreading and could trigger a large-scale global outbreak. The virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, and symptoms include high fever, joint pain, rash, and fatigue. Although the mortality rate is below 1%, joint pain in some patients can persist for months or even years, significantly affecting their quality of life.
According to WHO data, as of June 2025, there have been more than 220,000 confirmed cases worldwide. Local or imported cases have been reported in 135 countries, with clusters or regional outbreaks particularly seen in Indian Ocean islands, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
In the Indian Ocean region, islands like Réunion and Mayotte saw one-third of their populations infected during the outbreak. In Europe, countries like France and Italy have also reported local transmission, with France recording 800 imported cases and 12 local infections. Meanwhile, in China’s Guangdong province, cities like Shunde and Foshan have experienced outbreaks, with more than 3,000 locally confirmed cases as of mid-July.
In terms of vaccine development, only a few countries have introduced the chikungunya vaccine for high-risk groups, and global availability remains limited. WHO emphasized that prevention should still focus on mosquito control and personal protection. The organization urges all countries to actively promote public health education, enhance monitoring systems, and take preventive action to avoid a repeat of past outbreaks.