Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the Alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. During epidemics and endemic circulation, CHIKV is transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. 

Chikungunya virus causes clinical illness in more than 70% of infected individuals, typically 4–7 days after an infected mosquito bite (range 2–12 days). CHIKV Infection usually results in a self-limiting febrile illness with acute onset of fever, characterised by severe joint and muscle pain, and sometimes accompanied by an itchy maculopapular rash. Other common signs and symptoms include joint swelling, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Severe complications, such as encephalitis, may occur in the elderly and individuals with comorbidities. Persistent arthralgia and joint swelling are common long-term manifestations. Fatalities have been reported, with case fatality rates of 0.1 – 4.9% during epidemics in elderly patients, who are at higher risk. There is no specific antiviral treatment for CHIKV infections. 

CHIKV was first identified in the United Republic of Tanzania in 1952 and subsequently in other countries in Africa and Asia. Since 2004, outbreaks have become more frequent and widespread. Globally as of December 2024, current or previous autochthonous mosquito-borne transmission of CHIKV has been reported in 119 countries and territories, including in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Transmission often persists in countries where large segments of the population have not yet been infected. In Asia, CHIKV is endemic and causes recurrent, sometimes large epidemics, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. 

In Malaysia, an increase in chikungunya cases was reported in 2019, 11 years after the previous outbreak. More than 2,000 cases were reported in 2020, mainly in states bordering Thailand, with further expansion across Peninsular Malaysia in 2021. Since then, it was noted that the number of cases began to reduce significantly. As of 2 August 2025, only 40 CHIKV disease cases have been reported, compared with 63 cases reported during the same period in 2024. Three chikungunya clusters have been reported in 2025. No chikungunya-related deaths have been recorded to date. Case investigation, integrated vector management, community engagement, and multisectoral collaboration efforts have been carried out. All outbreaks were successfully contained within two weeks of detection, indicating an effective public health response and outbreak management.