A recent outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Italy has raised alarms across Europe, urging travellers to take extra precautions. Approximately 110 locally acquired chikungunya cases have been reported in Emilia-Romagna and Veneto regions in Italy since July 2025. Chikungunya cases have not been reported in Italy since 2017.
While Chikungunya is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, the spread of the Aedes mosquito responsible for transmission – active from sunrise to sunset – has now extended into Italy. This has led to heightened concerns, particularly as the region remains a popular destination for UK travellers.
Chikungunya is a viral infection that can cause sudden high fever, debilitating joint and muscle pain, headaches, skin rashes, and photophobia. While most people recover in 1–2 weeks, up to 12% of people can suffer from joint pain that can persist for months to years, and in rare cases, the virus may lead to more serious complications.
At Fleet Street Clinic, we now offer two Chikungunya vaccines for eligible travellers:
IXCHIQ: A live attenuated vaccine suitable for immunocompetent individuals aged 18–59 years.
Vimkunya: A virus-like particle vaccine using recombinant DNA technology available for individuals aged 12 years and older
There is no specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya, therefore making prevention through vaccination and mosquito bite avoidance essential. Travellers to affected areas should consult a healthcare professional for up-to-date advice and vaccine suitability.
Estimate the savings you could make with a workplace flu vaccination programme with our flu calculator: https://flujabs.org/flu-calculator/
References https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/31/chikungunya
https://www.travax.nhs.uk/news/news-record-page?newsid=24899
https://www.travax.com/account/login/index?ReturnUrl=%2Flibrary%2Fchikungunya
