• The CDC issued a travel warning for China due to a chikungunya virus outbreak, advising travelers to take precautions.
• Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus causing fever, joint pain, and other symptoms, which can be severe.
• While not common in the U.S., nearly 200 travel-related chikungunya cases were reported in 2024, with one Ohio case in 2025.

The CDC has issued a travel warning for Americans heading to China as the country battles an outbreak of chikungunya virus, with thousands of people infected by the mosquito-borne illness.

What is chikungunya? Is it deadly? Here’s what to know about the virus, and how many cases have been reported in Ohio so far.

The latest on chikungunya virus cases in China, other countries

China has reported 7,000 cases of chikungunya since initial reports surfaced in early July 2025, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also identified current outbreaks in countries like Bolivia, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Chikungunya can cause serious problems or death in extreme cases.

What is chikungunya? CDC issues China travel warning amid outbreak

Chikungunya is a virus that causes fever and joint pain, and while rare, it can be deadly.

Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash when bitten by an infected mosquito, according to the CDC. The agency has since released a Level 2 travel warning due to an outbreak in China, which advises travelers to practice enhanced precautions while visiting destinations with outbreaks.

Is chikungunya common in Ohio and the U.S.?

While not considered especially common in the United States, there have been more documented cases of chikungunya in the U.S. over the past few years.

In 2024, there were nearly 200 travel-related reports of chikungunya, per CDC data. So far this year, the CDC has confirmed 46 cases where travelers tested positive for chikungunya. Locally acquired chikungunya cases have not been reported from U.S. states or territories since 2019.

Ohio has seen one reported case of chikungunya in 2025 as of July 29, 2025, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The case was reported in Franklin County. ODH reports three chikungunya cases in the Buckeye State since Aug. 1, 2024.

Other travel-associated mosquito-borne diseases like malaria have seen far more reports (38 cases) among Ohioans.

Is chikungunya different from the Zika virus?

Yes. While both diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes, they come from two different types of viruses (chikungunya is an Alphavirus, while Zika is a Flavivirus), according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Clinical symptoms of Chikungunya fever and Zika fever are also similar, but chikungunya symptoms are generally more severe than Zika symptoms.

Symptoms of the chikungunya virus

Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The CDC says that symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint swelling
• Rash

How to prevent chikungunya

In addition to CDC travel warnings, vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak, and travelers should also try to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts, staying indoors, or using repellent.

However, federal officials recommended in May 2025 pausing chikungunya vaccines in those over 60 due to adverse reactions.