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

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

There has been an outbreak of chikungunya in Guangdong Province, which can cause fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025

New vaccines have been developed for chikungunya virus disease, but there is no vaccine for human use against WNV infection. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025

Over the past few weeks, the U.S. has experienced a surge in virus outbreaks, including chikungunya, Legionnaires' disease and dengue fever, which have all sickened hundreds of people and can adversely affect the body in severe cases. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 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