Beyond dengue: The mosquito-borne virus that could be our next big Οutbreak

Singapore researchers at Sri Lanka's chikungunya front line find there's a need for greater regional coordination and increased funding.

- Ruklanthi de Alwis, Neelika Malavige, Lisa Ng and Yeo Tsin Wen

Every year, Singapore braces itself for its familiar battle against dengue. But another mosquito-borne virus is quietly gaining ground across the tropics — one carried by the same Aedes mosquitoes that thrive here. Chikungunya, long overshadowed by dengue, is re-emerging with new mutations, more severe symptoms and a worrying ability to spread in urban environments.

Already, Singapore has experienced a spike in chikungunya cases, with 17 reported from the start of the year to Aug 2 — more than double the number for the same period in 2024, said the Communicable Diseases Agency. This follows a recent chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, China, with cases subsequently reported in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Singapore's ability to respond effectively to chikungunya depends not only on domestic measures, but on understanding how the virus is behaving in neighbouring regions before it reaches our shores.

To this end, the co-authors of this commentary — comprising a joint team from Duke-NUS Medical School's Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP), Nanyang Technological University-Singapore's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Woodlands Health and the A*Star Infectious Diseases Labs (A*Star IDL) — are undertaking research in Sri Lanka, where a large outbreak of chikungunya emerged in late 2024.

This research is giving Singapore an early window into the virus' mutations, patterns of spread and its clinical impact. Singapore has taken important steps to stay ahead of mosquito-borne diseases, but regional preparedness still faces gaps. Surveillance, diagnostics and research all require sustained investment, and without this, countries risk being caught off guard should chikungunya spread more widely.

Singapore's proactive approach is vital, yet it will be most effective when matched by strong, coordinated efforts across the region.

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