Chikungunya Virus Genotypes Inflicting Outbreaks within the Americas — Vax-Before-Travel

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert on February 10, 2026, warning of a sustained rise in chikungunya circumstances throughout components of the Americas.

The alert highlights elevated transmission from late 2025 via early 2026, together with the resumption of native transmission in territories that had not reported the virus for a number of years, together with the United States.

While not often deadly, the sickness could cause debilitating long-term results.

According to PAHO’s alert, as of epidemiological week (EW) 4 in 2026, a complete of seven,150 chikungunya circumstances had been reported, with 2,351 confirmed and 1 dying recorded.

This uptick follows a broader regional development: in 2025, the Americas reported 313,132 circumstances (113,926 confirmed, together with 170 deaths) throughout 18 nations and one territory.

Notable exercise occurred in Brazil’s central-western and southeastern areas, southern Bolivia, and the re-emergence within the Guiana Shield space (together with Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname after practically a decade with out studies.

The PAHO famous that whereas dynamics might mirror cyclical epidemiology, the reappearance in beforehand quiet territories underscores the urgency for heightened vigilance.

Genomic evaluation exhibits three predominant international genotypes of the chikungunya virus: West African, East/Central/South African, and Asian. Specifically, the Indian Ocean lineage, which options the E1-A226V mutation, enhances transmissibility, contributing to wider unfold in some contexts.

Chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the identical vectors liable for Dengue and Zika infections, which have additionally been reported in 2026.

In a optimistic improvement for prevention, permitted chikungunya vaccines are anticipated to be accessible in 2026. These embody virus-like particle choices, such because the VIMKUNYA vaccine.

This vaccine is really helpful for individuals visiting areas with chikungunya outbreaks and is commercially provided at licensed journey clinics all through the U.S.