WHO issues warning about chikungunya virus

Tengrinews.kz – The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a significant risk of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) spread this year.
According to WHO, from January 1 to September 30, 445,271 suspected and confirmed cases have been recorded across 40 countries, with 155 deaths reported.
The organization notes that compared to 2024, outbreaks have intensified in some regions, although their distribution remains uneven. This makes assessing global incidence growth difficult, but the potential for further spread remains high.

"WHO continues to urge all countries to strengthen their healthcare and laboratory systems to ensure rapid detection, timely reporting, and effective response to chikungunya outbreaks," the statement says.

The disease can spread to new regions via infected travelers and bites from Aedes mosquitoes. Risk is further increased by low immunity in previously unaffected areas, favorable conditions for mosquito breeding, gaps in epidemiological surveillance, and high human mobility.
WHO reports that 27 countries have populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, though local transmission has not yet been recorded there. Aedes albopictus can also transmit the virus, particularly strains with the E1 226V mutation, posing a continuing threat to new countries.