India’s Escalating Public Health Challenge: Chikungunya

Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory following a chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, China, where more than 8,000 infections have been reported since June. The outbreak originated in Foshan City, but has since spread to neighbouring regions, including Hong Kong and Macao.

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While the outbreak is geographically distant, it carries a clear warning for India. With its tropical climate, overcrowded cities, and overstretched healthcare systems, the country remains highly susceptible to mosquito-borne diseases—especially in an age marked by rapid climate change and unplanned urban growth. The term chikungunya comes from the Makonde language, meaning “to become contorted”—a reference to the intense joint pain experienced by those infected. The disease is primarily spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and typically presents with fever, rash, and severe arthralgia. There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya, with management focusing on symptom relief (rest, hydration, and pain medication).

Most patients recover within a few weeks, but for some, joint pain lingers for months, making full recovery a slow and challenging process. Although rarely fatal, chikungunya carries a substantial social and economic burden, particularly in communities already under stress.

Chikungunya in India: The Persistent Threat

At the national level, the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) reports that chikungunya continues to be a significant public health concern. According to the latest surveillance data—updated up to March 31, 2025—India has recorded thousands of suspected cases across multiple states.

Tracking the National Trend

- 2018 - 57,813 suspected, 9,756 confirmed