Keywords
Chikungunya fever
Mosquito-borne infectious disease
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
Abstract
Chikungunya fever is an acute viral infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Since its first discovery in Tanzania in 1952, CHIKV has caused multiple large-scale outbreaks worldwide, posing a serious threat to public health. CHIKV belongs to the genus Alphavirus in the family Togaviridae. Its genome is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA, encoding 4 non-structural proteins (nsP1-4) and 5 structural proteins (C, E3, E2, 6K, E1). In recent years, adaptive mutations (such as E1-A226V) occurring in the virus during evolution have significantly enhanced its ability to infect and transmit through the vector Aedes mosquitoes, leading to the continuous expansion of its epidemic range. This review systematically summarizes the molecular virological characteristics, genomic evolution rules, pathogenic mechanisms (especially new findings related to joints and the nervous system) of CHIKV, as well as the latest diagnostic technologies, including CRISPR/Cas system-based rapid detection methods and probe-capture metagenomic sequencing. In terms of clinical management, it focuses on interpreting the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Chikungunya Fever (2025 Edition) and a number of expert consensuses, emphasizing the efficacy and safety of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment, and points out that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided. Although there is currently no specific antiviral drug, progress has been made in the research and development of drugs targeting key links in the viral life cycle and host factors. At the same time, a variety of candidate vaccines (including live attenuated vaccines, virus-like particle vaccines, mRNA vaccines, etc.) have entered preclinical or clinical research stages, showing good application prospects. Finally, combined with the Technical Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Chikungunya Fever (2025 Edition), this article analyzes the challenges faced by China in preventing local transmission caused by imported epidemics, and proposes a comprehensive prevention and control strategy centered on "eliminating stagnant water, eradicating mosquitoes, and preventing mosquito bites", integrating monitoring and early warning, rapid response, multi-departmental collaboration, and public education. Facing the continuous evolution and global spread of CHIKV, strengthening basic research, drug and vaccine development, and the construction of public health systems are the keys to addressing this threat in the future.
References
[1] Rong H, Ding Y H, Ning S, et al. Research progress on the global epidemic situation and prevention and control strategies of Chikungunya virus. Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control. https://doi.org/10.16250/j.32.1915.2025138.
[2] Xiong X, Huang W L, Lin G H, et al. Global epi-demic status and prevention and control strategies of Chikungunya fever. Journal of Guangdong Medical University.
[3] Zhang Q S, Yan H M, Chen X Y, et al. Analysis of clinical characteristics of 213 adult Chikungunya fever patients in Foshan City in 2025. Electronic Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2025, 10(04): 7-12. DOI: 10.19871/j.cnki.xfcrbzz.2025.04.002.
[4] He J W, Ye J F, Huang Z X, et al. Current status and prospects of research on Chikungunya virus ge-nome evolution and pathogenic mechanism. Chi-nese Journal of Modern Medicine, 2025, 27(09): 71-80. DOI: CNKI: SUN: ZHTY.0.2025-09-010.
[5] Ning X H, Yu C Y, Cheng Z M, et al. Distribution characteristics and risk analysis of Chikungunya virus genotypes detected in China. Chinese Journal of Vector Biology and Control. https://doi.org/10.11853/j.issn.1003.8280.2025.05.001.
[6] Feng Y, Zhang H L. Research progress on the epi-demiology and pathogenic biology of chikungunya fever in China. China Tropical Medicine, 2025, 25(05): 582-587. DOI: 10.13604/j.cnki.46-1064/r.2025.05.09.
[7] Chen X, Zhu T, Yu C Y, et al. Research progress of Chikungunya virus vaccines. Chinese Journal of Viral Diseases, 2025, 15(05): 501-508. DOI: 10.16505/j.2095-0136.2025.0093.
[8] Feng J L, Wang Y Y, Liu Y B. Research progress on Chikungunya virus pathogenic mechanism and vaccine clinical research. Journal of Guangdong Medical University.
[9] Shu C, Li M Z, Zhai C C, et al. Construction of a bivalent recombinant DNA vaccine against West Nile virus and Chikungunya virus and study on the immune response induced in mice. Chinese Journal of Virology, 2025, 41(03): 713-724. DOI: 10.13242/j.cnki.bingduxuebao.250137.
[10] Yu C Y, Ning X H, Zhu X X, et al. Chikungunya virus and Chikungunya fever. Journal of Tropical Medicine.
[11] Lin Q H, Zheng Z Q, Gu T M, et al. Construction and identification of an infectious clone of Chikungunya virus. Chinese Journal of Virology, 2025, 41(02): 428-436. DOI: 10.13242/j.cnki.bingduxuebao.250026.
[12] Yan Y. Identification of a new regulatory factor RACK1 for Chikungunya virus non-structural pro-tein 4. Peking Union Medical College, 2024. DOI: 10.27648/d.cnki.gzxhu.2024.000787.
[13] Zou M. Identification of host factors interacting with Chikungunya virus non-structural protein 3. Peking Union Medical College, 2023. DOI: 10.27648/d.cnki.gzxhu.2023.000853.
[14] Zhang F Y. Preparation of bispecific antibodies with neutralizing activity against CHIKV and ZIKV. Kunming Medical University, 2024. DOI: 10.27202/d.cnki.gkmyc.2024.001389.
[15] Qi Z T. Chikungunya virus infection and patho-genesis. Academic Journal of Naval Medical Uni-versity. https://doi.org/10.16781/j.CN31-2187/R.20250554.
[16] He Y Q. Study on the mechanism of action of fusion viruses on Chikungunya virus replication. Southern Medical University, 2023. DOI: 10.27003/d.cnki.gojyu.2023.000468.
[17] Chen Y B, He Z W, Zhao P, et al. Research progress of host factors related to Chikungunya virus infec-tion and antiviral drugs. Journal of Tropical Medi-cine.
[18] Han H, Wu B, Zhou Q, et al. Analysis of global infectious disease epidemic situation in July 2025. Disease Surveillance, 2025, 40(08): 974-976. DOI: CNKI: SUN: JBJC.0.2025-08-002.
[19] Teng D J, Fang Y S, Pang M F, et al. Risk assessment of global infectious disease events in July 2025 [J]. Disease Surveillance, 2025, 40(08): 981-985. DOI: CNKI: SUN: JBJC.0.2025-08-004.
[20] Mao R K, Tang L, Peng X F, et al. Epidemic trends and prevention and control of major mosqui-to-borne infectious diseases in the context of glob-alization. Modern Preventive Medicine, 2025, 52(10): 1729-1734+1741. DOI: 10.20043/j.cnki.MPM.202412470.
[21] Luo K R, Tang J. Mother-to-child transmission of Chikungunya virus and its impact on the neonatal nervous system. Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Science Edition), 1-7 [2025-10-17]. https://doi.org/10.12182/20250960201.
[22] Cai Y J, Liang Z Y, Shi Y, et al. Expert consensus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neonatal dengue virus, Chikungunya virus and Zika virus infections (2025). Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 1-12 [2025-10-17]. https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2508104.
[23] Chai X X, Chen J H, Shi M. Research progress on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic technology and prevention and control strategies of Chikungunya fever. Journal of Guangdong Medical University.
[24] Xing X S, Wang Y F. Chikungunya fever: compre-hensive scientific understanding and prevention and control strategies. Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 2025, 36(05): 1-7.
[25] Tian R, Zhao J, Li Y, et al. Determination of the full-length genome sequence of Chikungunya virus from throat swab samples using probe-capture metagenomic sequencing: a case report. Disease Surveillance, 1-5 [2025-10-17]. https://doi.org/10.3784/jbjc.202408080556.
[26] Xiong L, Guo X X, Li D Q, et al. Establishment of a rapid detection method for arboviruses based on RT-RAA and CRISPR/Cas13a. Modern Preventive Medicine, 2025, 52(17): 3227-3234. DOI: 10.20043/j.cnki.MPM.202503292.
[27] Xu X L, Hu X Y, Li C Y, et al. Development and application of an ELISA rapid detection kit for Chikungunya virus immunoglobulin G antibody. China Tropical Medicine, 2024, 24(04): 438-442. DOI: 10.13604/j.cnki.46-1064/r.2024.04.14.
[28] Ma J J, Chen K L, Xiao W, et al. Research progress on Chikungunya virus serological detection tech-nology. Journal of Guangdong Medical University.
[29] Wu Z L, Zhang Y F, Chi J N, et al. Efficacy and safety evaluation of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of Chikungunya fever: a real-world study of 500 pa-tients. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1-5 [2025-10-17]. https://doi.org/10.16305/j.1007-1334.2025.z20250815003.
[30] Wang S Q, Zong Z Y, Deng C L, et al. Expert con-sensus on integrated traditional Chinese and West-ern medicine prevention and treatment of Chikungunya fever in Sichuan Province (2025 Edition). Journal of Practical Clinical Medicine, 2025, 22(05): 52-59. DOI: CNKI: SUN: YYLC.0.2025-05-009.
[31] Li Y Z. Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangdong sets up a rehabilitation clinic for Chikungunya fever. Chinese Journal of Management in Chinese Medicine, 2025, 33(15): 175. DOI: 10.16690/j.cnki.1007-9203.2025.15.026.
[32] Li J Q. Establishment and application of antiviral drug screening systems for Zika virus and Chikungunya virus. University of Chinese Acade-my of Sciences (Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chi-nese Academy of Sciences), 2023. DOI: 10.27601/d.cnki.gkwvs.2023.000001.
[33] Zhang J X, Xiao Y, Li J J, et al. Study on the immune effect of a recombinant vaccinia virus candidate vaccine against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in mice. Chinese Journal of Pathogen Biology, 2024, 19(04): 378-381. DOI: 10.13350/j.cjpb.240402.
[34] He L, Liu Y, Yu F, et al. Expert consensus on infec-tion prevention and control of Chikungunya fever in medical institutions (2025 Edition). Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology. https://doi.org/10.11816/cn.ni.2025-252018.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Frontiers in Preventive Medicine