The chikungunya virus is experiencing a resurgence worldwide, prompting health officials to issue warnings and advisories. The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has alerted travelers about potential exposure, particularly in regions with rapidly spreading cases. China is at the forefront of this outbreak, with a staggering 7,000 reported cases. This year, approximately 240,000 cases of chikungunya have been reported across Central and South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean region, and several parts of Asia. The outbreak has resulted in 90 fatalities. The southern Chinese province of Guangdong, for example, has seen over 7,000 cases since June 2025. Hong Kong also recently identified its first case of chikungunya since 2019.
The CDC has issued a Level-2 Travel Health Notice, recommending increased caution for travel to several countries, including Bolivia, Guangdong province in China, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, the CDC has issued warnings for American travelers visiting Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
While not widespread, chikungunya cases do occur in the United States. Prior to 2006, infections among American travelers were rare. Between 2006 and 2013, an average of 28 people in the U.S. were confirmed to have contracted the virus annually, all of whom had traveled to or returned from affected areas in Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean. The CDC reports that no locally spread cases have been recorded in the US since 2019. However, there were 199 cases in 2024 and 46 cases thus far in 2025 among US citizens infected while traveling.