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
Martin Enserink
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease, chikungunya, and dengue fever are quite distinct from each other and not the same. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 As climate change worsens and the planet heats up, mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, chikungunya and dengue will likely continue to spread and have an ever greater impact on human health and well being. Heather Chen, CNN, 6 June 2022 In 2007, the tropical chikungunya virus was detected in Europe for the first time in two Italian villages and has since appeared in France. Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2022 In September 2019, Moderna reported phase 1 clinical trial results of its chikungunya therapy. Laura Defrancesco, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2022 In California, the species is growing, but there have not been confirmed cases of dengue, chikungunya, Zika or yellow fever spread through the insect, according to state health officials. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 The findings of the Lancet study may prove relevant to other mosquito-borne viruses, including Zika and chikungunya, the study suggests. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2022 The goal of the project is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, according to USA Today. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 10 Mar. 2022 Oxitec says the goal is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 See More
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 As climate change worsens and the planet heats up, mosquito-borne diseases like Zika, chikungunya and dengue will likely continue to spread and have an ever greater impact on human health and well being. Heather Chen, CNN, 6 June 2022 In 2007, the tropical chikungunya virus was detected in Europe for the first time in two Italian villages and has since appeared in France. Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2022 In September 2019, Moderna reported phase 1 clinical trial results of its chikungunya therapy. Laura Defrancesco, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2022 In California, the species is growing, but there have not been confirmed cases of dengue, chikungunya, Zika or yellow fever spread through the insect, according to state health officials. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 The findings of the Lancet study may prove relevant to other mosquito-borne viruses, including Zika and chikungunya, the study suggests. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2022 The goal of the project is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, according to USA Today. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 10 Mar. 2022 Oxitec says the goal is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2022 See More 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