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

Older adults are being warned against receiving the chikungunya vaccine before traveling. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025

In light of the concerns, the advisory group also recommended authorizing a second chikungunya vaccine—Vimkunya, produced by Bavarian Nordic—for travelers aged 12 and older visiting areas experiencing outbreaks. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Brazil recently inaugurated a factory that breeds mosquitoes to carry a bacterium known as Wolbachia that prevents the mosquitoes from reproducing easily, slowing the viruses that cause dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, a disease that can cause fever and joint pain, now established in the Americas. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Vectors means the insects spread diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya in humans, or heartworm parasites in dogs. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 25 May 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