Chikungunya - An emerging arbovirus infection

Chikungunya, a virus in the Alphavirus genus of the Togaviridae family, is an emerging vector-bourne viral disease. The disease is rarely fatal, but may cause fever, myalgia and arthralgia as well as more severe manifestations in some patients. The traditional vector is Aedes aegypti, although a genetic mutation occurring during the outbreak on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion in 2007 has improved viral transmission by Aedes albopictus. Chikungunya is an important emerging viral infection in the tropics, and the possibility of its introduction into Australia remains a significant potential public health threat.