Chikungunya Virus: A Growing Threat from Central America to the United States

If you’ve been following the news lately, you may have heard about the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness sparking concern across the globe. While it’s been making headlines for a major outbreak in China’s Guangdong province, with over 7,000 cases reported since June 2025, the virus is also a rising threat closer to home in Central America. As pest control enthusiasts, we know that mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance—they can carry serious diseases like chikungunya that could soon affect the United States. Here’s what you need to know about this virus, its spread from Central America, and how to protect your pest-free lifestyle.

What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the Togaviridae family. Transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, it causes symptoms like high fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and rashes. The name “chikungunya” comes from the Kimakonde language, meaning “that which bends up,” reflecting the debilitating joint pain that leaves victims hunched over. While most recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months or even years, especially in older adults or those with conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Though rare, severe cases can lead to complications, with a mortality rate of about 1 in 1,000.

First identified in Tanzania in 1952, chikungunya has spread to over 110 countries, with recent outbreaks in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In 2025 alone, approximately 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been reported globally, with the Americas, particularly Brazil (185,553 cases) and Bolivia (4,721 cases), bearing the brunt of the burden.

The Threat from Central America

Central America is a hotspot for chikungunya due to its tropical climate, which supports thriving populations of Aedes mosquitoes. Countries like Bolivia have reported significant outbreaks, with the department of Santa Cruz seeing intense transmission in 2025. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has noted that the virus’s spread is fueled by climate change, with warmer temperatures and heavy rainfall creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water—think flowerpots, old tires, or even bottle caps—making urban and rural areas in Central America vulnerable.

The concern for the United States stems from both travel and local transmission risks. International travel from Central America to the U.S. is common, and infected travelers can introduce the virus to areas where Aedes mosquitoes are present. In 2014, chikungunya caused local outbreaks in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with over 1.7 million suspected cases in the Americas. While no locally acquired cases have been reported in the U.S. since 2019, the CDC has documented 46 travel-associated cases in 2025 as of July, including one in Ohio. The presence of Aedes aegypti in the southeastern U.S. and Aedes albopictus along the East Coast, Mid-Atlantic, and lower Midwest means the potential for local transmission remains, especially if infected travelers are bitten by local mosquitoes.

Why This Matters for the United States

The chikungunya virus is a growing concern for several reasons:

Climate Change and Mosquito Expansion: Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are expanding the range of Aedes mosquitoes northward. Areas in the U.S. that were once too cool for these mosquitoes are now at risk, particularly in southern states like Florida, Texas, and California.
Travel Risks: With frequent travel between Central America and the U.S., the virus can easily hitch a ride. The CDC has issued Level 2 travel notices for countries like Bolivia, urging enhanced precautions, and lists Mexico as an elevated-risk destination due to past cases among U.S. travelers.
Lack of Widespread Immunity: Unlike in endemic regions, most Americans have no immunity to chikungunya, making outbreaks potentially more severe if the virus establishes local transmission.
No Specific Treatment: There’s no antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Care focuses on symptom relief with rest, fluids, and pain relievers like acetaminophen. Two vaccines (IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA) are approved in the U.S., but they’re recommended only for travelers to outbreak areas and are not widely available. Recent concerns about adverse effects in older adults have led to a pause in vaccinating those over 60.

Protecting Your Pest-Free Lifestyle

As pest control advocates, we can take proactive steps to keep chikungunya at bay. Here’s how to protect yourself and your community:

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites: Check your property weekly for standing water in containers, gutters, or plant saucers. Even small amounts of water can breed mosquitoes. Empty, clean, or cover these sources to disrupt the mosquito life cycle.
Use Insect Repellent: Apply EPA-approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.
Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants to minimize exposed skin. Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes.
Install Screens and Use Air Conditioning: Ensure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens, and use air conditioning to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Support Community Efforts: Advocate for local mosquito control programs, such as spraying insecticides or releasing natural predators like mosquito-eating fish, as seen in China’s response to their outbreak.
Stay Informed: If traveling to Central America or other high-risk areas, check CDC travel notices and consider vaccination if visiting an outbreak zone. Pregnant women, especially near delivery, should consult healthcare providers about travel risks due to the potential for severe outcomes in newborns.

The Bigger Picture

The recent news about chikungunya outbreaks, from China to Central America, is a wake-up call. Mosquitoes are not just a backyard annoyance—they’re vectors for diseases that can disrupt lives and communities. In Central America, the virus is thriving due to environmental factors and human movement, and the U.S. is not immune to this threat. By staying vigilant and adopting pest-free living practices, we can reduce the risk of chikungunya taking hold here. Keep your eyes on the news, your yard free of standing water, and your defenses up against mosquitoes. Together, we can keep our homes and communities safe from this emerging threat.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)