Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral illness that causes sudden fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue and rash. There is no specific treatment, and symptoms can range from mild to extremely debilitating — with joint pain that may linger for months or even years.
Although Chikungunya is not found in the UK, it is common in parts of Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Even short holidays and family visits can carry risk, especially during periods of high mosquito activity.
For up-to-date global risk information, visit the official NaTHNaC factsheet:
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/27/chikungunya
Chikungunya is spread through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — the same species that spread dengue and Zika. These mosquitoes:
Bite during the day (not just evening)
Thrive in both urban and rural settings
Breed easily in small amounts of standing water
Are common around hotels, resorts, cities and beaches
This means most travellers — including those staying in good-quality resorts — can be exposed.
Symptoms usually begin 4–7 days after being bitten, but can appear up to 12 days later.
Common symptoms include:
Sudden high fever
Intense joint pain (hands, wrists, ankles and feet)
Muscle aches
Headache
Rash
Nausea or vomiting
Severe tiredness
Most people recover within 1–2 weeks, but joint symptoms can persist for months. In some cases, long-term arthritis-like pain can last for years. Older adults, children and those with underlying health conditions may experience more severe illness.
There is no antiviral treatment
Pain can be severe and disabling
Medical care abroad may be limited
Travelling home while unwell is difficult
Long-term joint issues can affect mobility and work
One mosquito bite is enough to cause infection.
You may have a higher risk if you are:
Visiting friends or relatives in affected regions
Travelling for long stays, fieldwork, volunteering or backpacking
Staying in local homes or rural areas
Travelling during monsoon or high mosquito seasons
Spending long periods outdoors
Pregnant or have underlying medical/immune conditions
Even travellers staying in well-developed tourist areas may be exposed.
Vaccination is the strongest protection, but you should also practise mosquito avoidance:
Use 50% DEET or equivalent repellents
Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially at dawn/dusk
Choose accommodation with air-conditioning or screens
Use plug-in vaporisers indoors
Keep windows and doors closed
Remove or avoid standing water
These measures also reduce risk of dengue and Zika.
At Northfields Travel Clinic, we provide Vimkunya®, an inactivated (non-live) Chikungunya vaccine for travellers visiting affected regions.
Brand: Vimkunya®
Type: Inactivated (non-live)
Doses required: 1
Price: £200
Licensed for: Adults & adolescents aged 12+
Protection develops: ~2 weeks after vaccination
Duration of protection: At least 1 year (ongoing data collection)
Your medical history
Any allergies
Pregnancy/breastfeeding status
Your travel itinerary
Any other vaccines required
Your immune status and current medicines
Multiple travel vaccines can be given on the same day where appropriate.
Some travellers may hear about a second vaccine called IXCHIQ®. This is a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the virus.
We have chosen not to stock or administer IXCHIQ® for three important reasons:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended IXCHIQ’s biologics licence after reports of:
Severe neurological complications
Chikungunya-like illness caused by the vaccine strain
Hospitalisations
A small number of deaths
IXCHIQ is unsuitable for:
Adults aged over 60
Anyone with a weakened immune system
Pregnant individuals
Travellers with chronic illnesses
People on immune-modifying medicines
Because Vimkunya® is an inactivated, non-live vaccine with a better safety profile, it is the preferred choice for the vast majority of UK travellers.
Our clinical governance approach prioritises patient safety — therefore, we only provide Vimkunya®.
| Vimkunya® (Non-live) | IXCHIQ® (Live-attenuated) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of vaccine | Inactivated, cannot replicate | Live-virus, can replicate |
| Dose | One dose | One dose |
| Who can receive it? | Most adults + 12+ years | Adults only, caution in many groups |
| Safety profile | Very good | Reports of severe reactions; FDA suspension |
| Suitability for travellers | Suitable for almost all itineraries | Limited use; only in high-risk scenarios |
| Why we choose it | Safest option with strong protection | Regulatory concerns and higher risk |
Chikungunya vaccination is strongly advised if you are travelling to:
South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives
Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines
Caribbean: Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic, etc.
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia and neighbouring regions
Central America
Sub-Saharan Africa
You should also consider vaccination if you will:
Stay with relatives
Travel during monsoon seasons
Visit areas with recent outbreaks
Spend a lot of time outdoors
Volunteer, study or backpack in affected regions
Our Northfields Travel Clinic team provides Chikungunya vaccination on-site at Bramley Pharmacy, Ealing (W5).
Use our online booking widget to secure your appointment.
Travel safely, reduce your risk of infection, and enjoy your trip with confidence.
Yes — we use Vimkunya®, a non-live vaccine with a strong safety profile.
IXCHIQ is a live vaccine with significant safety concerns and an FDA licence suspension (2025). We prioritise safer alternatives.
No. Vimkunya® does not contain live virus and cannot cause infection.
Current evidence suggests at least 12 months.
Yes, for those aged 12+, depending on medical suitability.
Yes — many travel vaccines can be safely administered together.
FDA Safety Update – IXCHIQ Licence Suspension (2025)
https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/fda-update-safety-ixchiq-chikungunya-vaccine-live
CDC – Chikungunya Vaccines Overview
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/vaccines/index.html
UK JCVI – Chikungunya Vaccine Advice (2025)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chikungunya-vaccine-for-uk-travellers-jcvi-advice-16-july-2025/chikungunya-vaccine-in-uk-travellers-jcvi-advice
TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) – Chikungunya
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/27/chikungunya