chikungunya

noun

chik·​un·​gun·​ya ˌchi-kən-ˈgu̇n-yə 

ˌchi-ku̇ŋ-

: a febrile disease that resembles dengue, occurs especially in parts of Africa, India, and southeastern Asia, and is caused by a togavirus (species Chikungunya virus of the genus Alphavirus) transmitted especially by aedes mosquitoes

Chikungunya is rarely fatal but can cause severe fevers, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and muscle and joint pains.

—Martin Enserink

Examples of chikungunya in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recently, the Cuban government confirmed the presence of chikungunya in Matanzas province, where the first cases had been diagnosed since July. —Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

There is no specific treatment or widely available vaccine for chikungunya. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025

The chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, causes fever and severe joint pain, according to the World Health Organization. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

As there is no specific antiviral drug to cure chikungunya, current treatment is focused primarily on relieving the symptoms. —Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Kimakonde (Bantu language of the Makonde), alleged to mean "that which bends up"

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

chikungunya

noun

chik·​un·​gun·​ya ˌchik-ən-ˈgu̇n-yə, ˌchik-u̇ŋ- 

: a febrile disease that resembles dengue, occurs especially in parts of Africa, India, and southeastern Asia, and is caused by a togavirus of the genus Alphavirus (species Chikungunya virus) transmitted by mosquitoes especially of the genus Aedes

called also chikungunya fever