Chikungunya

​Pharmacies like Scorah Bramhall are the ideal community resource to provide essential pre-travel health advice about emerging threats like Chikungunya because they offer accessible, expert consultations to help residents in Bramhall proactively assess and mitigate travel-related health risks.



Know the Risks: What Pharmacists Need to Tell Their Patients About Chikungunya Before They Travel

Chikungunya is a growing global health concern, and as a pharmacy, Scorah Bramhall can play a vital role in educating the Bramhall community about the risks before they travel. This is what you need to know, and what to share with your patients, to help them consider the risks and stay protected.


What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquitoes that can cause fever and severe joint pain11. While most people recover fully, the joint pain can be debilitating and may last for months or even years2. There is no known cure for the infection, although symptoms can be treated3.


Symptoms of Chikungunya can include:

• Sudden onset of fever 44
  
  
  
• 
  
  Pain in the joints and muscles 5555
  
  
  
• 
  
  Headache 6666
  
  
  
• 
  
  Nausea 7777
  
  
  
• 
  
  Fatigue 8888
  
  
  
• 
  
  Skin rash 9999
  
  
  

Symptoms usually occur between four and eight days after a mosquito bite, but can take up to 12 days, meaning a patient might start feeling ill after returning home10.





Where is Chikungunya Found?

Chikungunya has been identified in 110 countries1111. This includes much of the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and many other areas of Asia and Southeast Asia12121212.


The spread of the virus is being impacted by increased travel and tourism13. Furthermore, climate change is creating more favourable conditions for the mosquitoes that carry Chikungunya to spread into previously unaffected areas, including parts of Europe14.


In 2024 alone, 112 cases of Chikungunya were reported in returning travellers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland15. The most frequently reported countries of travel for these cases were India, Pakistan, and Brazil16.





Who is at Risk?

Travellers from areas considered 'no risk', such as the UK, are vulnerable when visiting areas where the virus is being transmitted17. This is because their immune system has not been exposed to the virus before18.


The risk is increased for travellers who:

• Visit areas with ongoing outbreaks19.
  
  
  
• Make frequent or recurrent trips20.
  
  
  
• Have longer stays in destinations with ongoing virus transmission21.
  
  
  

The mosquitoes that spread the virus are predominantly day biters, most active from sunrise to sunset, especially mid-morning and late afternoon to twilight22. However, they can also bite at night, especially when exposed to artificial light 23, and they bite both indoors and outdoors24. Outbreaks occur predominantly in the rainy season of tropical countries25.





How Can Patients Reduce the Risk of Being Bitten?

As a pharmacy, you can advise patients to talk to a healthcare professional for a full travel health risk assessment before travelling26.


You should also advise on personal protection measures, which include:

• Insect Repellent:
  • The first choice recommended is an insect repellent containing DEET (50%)27.
    
    
    
  • Second choices are Picaridin (20%) or the highest strength formulation of eucalyptus oil28.
    
    
    
  • 
    
    Crucially, insect repellent is only partially effective and only when applied correctly29. Research suggests around 98% of people may not apply the recommended protective dose30.
    
    
    
• Protective Clothing and Nets:
  • Wear appropriate clothing (e.g., long-sleeved shirt, trousers) to minimise exposed skin31.
    
    
    
  • Use mosquito nets for additional protection32323232.
    
    
    
  • Be aware that mosquitoes can bite both during the day and at night33.
    
    
    

By sharing this essential information, Scorah Bramhall can help the Bramhall community make informed decisions to protect their health before and during their travels.