Chikungunya: Why Is This Virus Re-Emerging Around the World?

By Ana Espino | Published on June 23, 2026 | 4 min read

Long considered a tropical disease confined to certain regions of Africa and Asia, chikungunya has undergone a concerning expansion in recent years. Primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the virus causes an acute febrile illness often accompanied by severe joint pain that can persist for months or even years in some patients. While major outbreaks were once relatively sporadic, both the number of epidemics and their geographic spread are now increasing rapidly.

This resurgence raises several important questions. Why is the virus successfully establishing itself in new regions? What roles do climate change and viral mutations play in its expansion? And what strategies could help prevent future outbreaks? To address these issues, researchers analyzed the key factors driving the global resurgence of chikungunya, as well as the new prevention tools currently available.


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When Climate, Mutations, and Globalization Fuel Epidemics

The authors first review the recent evolution of the virus. Since 2015, outbreaks have multiplied across South America, Africa, and Asia, and chikungunya now affects 119 countries and territories. The year 2025 was notably marked by a major outbreak in Foshan, China, where more than 6,000 confirmed cases were reported within a matter of weeks.

The analysis identifies several factors contributing to this expansion. The first is climate change. Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent episodes of heavy rainfall promote the proliferation of mosquito vectors and accelerate viral replication within them. These conditions enable more efficient transmission and facilitate the emergence of outbreaks in areas that were previously considered at low risk.

Researchers also emphasize the role of viral mutations. Certain genetic changes observed in recent years have enhanced the virus’s ability to infect the mosquitoes responsible for its transmission. These adaptations increase its epidemic potential and may contribute to the emergence of new outbreaks in different parts of the world.

Finally, globalization plays a major role. The growing volume of international travel and trade facilitates the importation of cases into previously unaffected regions. When environmental conditions are favorable and competent mosquito vectors are present, local transmission can quickly become established.

The review also highlights several promising advances in disease control. The authors point to the growing value of genomic surveillance, early warning networks, and even wastewater monitoring for the rapid detection of emerging outbreaks. They also note that two chikungunya vaccines have now been approved, while several additional vaccine candidates continue to advance through clinical development.


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Toward a New Global Prevention Strategy?

This review confirms that the resurgence of chikungunya results from a complex combination of environmental, biological, and societal factors. Climate warming, viral evolution, increasing mosquito densities, and the growth of international travel are collectively creating highly favorable conditions for the spread of the disease.

However, the authors stress that many at-risk regions still have limited surveillance and early detection capacities. Outbreaks are often identified only after transmission is already well established. Furthermore, the long-term impact of emerging viral mutations on vaccine effectiveness will require ongoing monitoring.

Despite these challenges, the availability of the first licensed vaccines, improvements in surveillance systems, and the development of innovative mosquito-control strategies offer encouraging prospects. In the context of global climate change, chikungunya prevention may increasingly rely on an integrated approach combining environmental surveillance, vector control, and targeted vaccination of high-risk populations.


About the author – Ana Espino
PhD in Immunology, specialized in Virology  
As a scientific writer, Ana is passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. With expertise in immunology, virology, oncology, and clinical studies, she makes complex science clear and accessible. Her mission: to accelerate knowledge sharing and empower evidence-based decisions.