chikungunya

noun

chik·un·gun·ya | \ ˌchi-kən-ˈgu̇n-yə

, ˌchi-ku̇ŋ- \

Definition of chikungunya

: 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 As climate change worsens and the planet heats up, mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, chikungunya and dengue will likely continue to spread and have an ever greater impact on human health and well being. — Heather Chen, CNN, 6 June 2022 In 2007, the tropical chikungunya virus was detected in Europe for the first time in two Italian villages and has since appeared in France. — Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2022 In September 2019, Moderna reported phase 1 clinical trial results of its chikungunya therapy. — Laura Defrancesco, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2022 In California, the species is growing, but there have not been confirmed cases of dengue, chikungunya, Zika or yellow fever spread through the insect, according to state health officials. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 The findings of the Lancet study may prove relevant to other mosquito-borne viruses, including Zika and chikungunya, the study suggests. — Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2022 The goal of the project is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, according to USA Today. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 10 Mar. 2022 Oxitec says the goal is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 Meanwhile, the potential for outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and Zika is on the rise, and the coasts around northern Europe and the United States are becoming ripe for bacteria that can lead to gastroenteritis, severe wound infections and sepsis. — BostonGlobe.com, 21 Oct. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chikungunya.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About chikungunya

Dictionary Entries Near chikungunya

chikee

chikungunya

chil

Statistics for chikungunya

Last Updated

11 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Chikungunya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chikungunya. Accessed 5 Jul. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for chikungunya

chikungunya

noun

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

Medical Definition of chikungunya

: 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