India's Chikungunya Outbreak Approaches Another Unfortunate Record

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease was first reported in the Republic of India in 1963 and has since spread to all parts of the subcontinent, becoming endemic. This health risk is seldom discussed, with over 9 million people visiting India, including about 1.5 million people from the United States.

As of early September 2024, India's health department had reported 69,395 cases of CHIKV this year. At this rate, India may exceed last year's unfortunate outbreak record of 200,064 CHIKV cases, which was the most significant number reported in Asia.

For example, the Times of India reported on September 14, 2024, that chikungunya cases had spiked in Maharashtra. By September 7, 2024, there were 2,643 cases, surpassing the 1,702 recorded in 2023, representing a 55% increase in just nine months.

This year, Pakistan (1,302), The Maldives (389), and Thailand (280) have also reported increases in CHIKV cases in the Asia/Pacific region.

As of early August 2024, approximately 450,000 CHIKV cases and over 160 deaths have been reported worldwide. 

To alert international travelers, the U.S. CDC recently stated that the Chikungunya vaccination (Valneva SE's IXCHIQ®) may be considered for certain visitors and long-term residents in 2024.

The CDC also recommended long-term visitors to India consider Japanese encephalitis vaccination (IXIARO® JESPECT®).

These vaccines are generally available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S. and should be administered at least one month before traveling abroad.