India's Chikungunya Outbreak Reaches Maharashtra

The global outbreak of the Chikungunya virus continues into late 2024, impacting various Asian countries, such as India.

To alert international travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory, regarding outbreaks of Chikungunya in Maharashtra and Telangana, India.

On November 8, 2024, the CDC issued an advisory for Telangana, a region in India's south-central region with a population of about 35 million and millions of annual visitors from the U.S.

As of December 19, 2024, the CDC wrote, 'Vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for (eligible) adults traveling to a destination with a current Chikungunya outbreak.'

In addition to India, the CDC says Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus and spread to humans through mosquito bites. According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after an infected mosquito bite. Most people infected with the virus develop some symptoms.

While there is no specific treatment for Chikungunya in 2024, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a vaccine for some travelers.

Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® monovalent, single-dose, live-attenuated vaccine was the first vaccine approved to address Chikungunya infections. This innovative vaccine is commercially available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S. IXCHIQ is also offered in numerous countries.