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

Is chikungunya different from dengue or Zika virus? —Alex Perry, AZCentral.com, 6 Aug. 2025

In addition to chikungunya, harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes include dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Two chikungunya vaccines have received regulatory approval but are not widely available. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

There is no cure for chikungunya, and treatment depends on the management of symptoms. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Aug. 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