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 (Alphavirus chikungunya) 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

Aedes aegypti — known to transmit dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, zika and West Nile viruses — has been established in Cyprus since 2022 and may spread to other European countries. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Aedes aegypti — known to transmit dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika and West Nile viruses — has been established in Cyprus since 2022 and may spread to other European countries. — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

One of the case studies detailed in the report involved a request for assistance writing a grant application for funding of gain-of-function research on the transmissibility and immune evasion of the chikungunya virus. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

One case involved research linked to chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

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 (Alphavirus chikungunya) transmitted by mosquitoes especially of the genus Aedes

called also chikungunya fever