Chikungunya is an infectious disease that was first reported in 1955 during an outbreak in 1952 around the Mozambique and Tanganyika border. It is caused by the Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) and is transmitted by mosquitoes in infested regions. The disease was initially identified in Tanzania, and its symptoms may include joint swelling, muscle pain, headaches, rashes, and can be fatal to newborns.
According to reports, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the world’s first vaccine for chikungunya, which has been considered an emerging global health threat. As of September 2023, there has been approximately 440,000 reported cases of chikungunya, resulting in 350 deaths. The vaccine (Ixchiq) was developed by Valneva, a French biotech company, and will be administered to young adults aged 18 and above, who are at high risk of contracting the disease.
In August 2023, Incognito Blog reported approximately 250,000 cases in South America, with around 100,000 cases originating from Paraguay.
