Volume 3 ; Issue 1 ; in Month : Jan-June (2026) Article No : 117
Md. Javed Karim, Basit Fazal

Abstract

Chikungunya is a re-emerging arboviral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a member of the genus Alphavirus in the family Gaviidae. Originally isolated in Tanzania in 1952, CHIKV has become a major global health threat due to its increasing geographic spread and significant impact on public health, particularly in economically weak countries. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, both of which are highly adaptive vectors prevalent in urban and peri-urban environments. The disease manifests acutely with high fever, severe polyarthralgia, rash, headache, myalgia, and fatigue. While most infections are self-limiting, a substantial proportion of patients experience persistent joint pain that may last for months or even years, especially among the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The etiology of Chikungunya involves a complex interplay between viral genetics, vector ecology, host immune response, and environmental determinants. CHIKV exists in three main genotypes—West African, East/Central/South African (ECSA), and Asian—each associated with distinct epidemiological patterns. The ECSA genotype, in particular, has exhibited mutations such as E1-A226V that enhance viral fitness and expand vector competence, notably in Aedes albopictus, facilitating outbreaks in temperate and tropical regions alike. These genetic adaptations, combined with rapid urbanization, poor vector control infrastructure, climate change, and increased global mobility, have led to the expansion of Chikungunya into non-endemic areas, including parts of Europe and the Americas. socioeconomic factors, including inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, poor sanitation, and lack of public awareness, exacerbate the vulnerability of low-income populations to CHIKV infection. Additionally, comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, and malnutrition increase the risk of severe and chronic outcomes.

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