Is It Just A Fever? Recognising The Warning Signs Of Chikungunya This Monsoon

Last Updated:July 28, 2025, 18:03 IST

Transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the spread of chikungunya is accelerated by rapid urbanisation, poor sanitation, and improper water storage, which create ideal breeding grounds.

Once considered a fading threat, chikungunya is making an unsettling return across several parts of India and beyond. The virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is no longer confined to seasonal outbreaks or tropical regions. Today, it’s being fuelled by a complex mix of climate change, urban overcrowding, and increased human mobility.

Doctors and public health experts are raising red flags as cases resurface in both familiar and new locations. “Chikungunya is re-emerging mainly on account of climate change, vector proliferation, urban congestion and human mobility,” warns Dr. Subhashree Samantaray, Consultant, Infectious Diseases & Adult Immunisation, Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar.

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have expanded mosquito habitats, while rapid urbanisation, poor sanitation, and improper water storage in cities create ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes – the primary vectors for the virus.

Further compounding the issue is the importation of the virus by infected travellers into new areas, especially where competent vectors like Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are already active. The European CDC has already linked the 2025 resurgence of chikungunya to such international transmissions.

What Are The Symptoms Of Chikungunya?

The symptoms of chikungunya begin with sudden fever, debilitating joint pain, headache, rash, and fatigue. While fever typically lasts less than a week, the joint pain can linger for weeks or even months, affecting quality of life. “Several patients, particularly older individuals, have symptoms similar to chronic arthritis,” says Dr. Samantaray. In rare cases, neurologic or cardiac complications can arise.

The likelihood of relapse or recurrence varies based on individual, viral, and environmental factors. “A relapse often occurs in immunocompromised or elderly individuals after apparent recovery,” she explains. At the community level, factors such as stagnant water, low herd immunity, and ineffective mosquito control accelerate the spread.

Prevention: The Missing Link in Public Health

What’s worrying public health officials is the ease with which chikungunya can rebound. “Unlike some infectious diseases, it can’t be shut down between places without sustained efforts,” notes Dr. Samantaray. The solution lies in targeted mosquito control- eliminating breeding sites, using repellents and protective clothing, improving waste and water management, and conducting regular fogging in high-risk areas.

Although two vaccines have received regulatory approvals in several countries, they are not yet widely available. “The dosing and recommendations are still being standardised,” she adds.

Chikungunya In India

With its dense population, irregular monsoons, and inconsistent sanitation, India remains particularly vulnerable.

“Storing water during supply gaps often leads to inadvertent breeding grounds,” she points out. Unless prevention becomes a sustained public health priority, chikungunya is poised to stay and spread.

As chikungunya re-emerges with new intensity, it’s clear that controlling the disease will take more than seasonal fogging or reactive public health campaigns. Until vaccines become widely accessible and standardised, prevention remains the most powerful defence – starting at home, in neighbourhoods, and in the way we manage our water, waste, and wellness.

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Delhi, India, India

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