The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a flavivirus type virus, a family of viruses also including the dengue virus, the zika virus, yellow fever, etc. The diseases transmitted by these viruses are arboviruses, so called, because these viruses are arboviruses (abbreviation of arthropod-borne viruses), i.e. they are transmitted by arthropods, blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes.

CHIKV was first identified during an epidemic in 1952/1953 on the Makondé plateau in Tanzania. Its name comes from a word in the Makondé language which means “bent”, because of the leaning forward attitude adopted by some people with the disease. CHIKV could have been responsible for fever epidemics with joint pain long before this date when it was identified.  

After Africa, and South-East Asia, it colonized the Indian Ocean in 2004, with in particular an exceptional epidemic in Réunion in 2005/2006 (300 people affected), then the American continent (including including the Caribbean), Asia and Oceania. CHIKV has now been present in southern Europe since 000, the date of an outbreak located in northeastern Italy. Since then, other outbreaks have been recorded in France and Croatia.

It is now considered that all countries with a hot season or climate may be facing epidemics.  

In September 2015, it is estimated that the Aedes albopictus mosquito was established in 22 French departments in mainland France which are placed under a regional reinforced surveillance system. With a decrease in imported cases, 30 cases in 2015 were imported against more than 400 in 2014. On October 21, 2014, France confirmed 4 cases of chikungunya infection contracted locally in Montpellier (France).

The epidemic continues in Martinique and Guyana, and the virus is circulating in Guadeloupe.  

The islands of the Pacific Ocean are also affected and cases of chikungunya appeared in 2015 in the Cook Islands and the Marshall Islands.