Chikun-whata? Chikungunya!

In Southeastern cities like Tampa, Atlanta, St. Simons Island, Charleston, Savannah, and Virginia Beach mosquitoes are simply part of daily life. Warm climates, summer rains, and high humidity give them everything they need to thrive. Most of the time they’re just an itchy nuisance, but sometimes they can spread illnesses we should all be aware of.

Common Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

In the United States, mosquitoes have been linked to several diseases. The most common is West Nile virus, but others include Eastern equine encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. While not all of these are found often in the Southeast, the types of mosquitoes that carry them live here, which is why prevention matters.

Chikungunya: What It Is and Why It’s in the News

Chikungunya (pronounced “chick-un-GUN-ya”) is a virus spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same ones that can also transmit dengue and Zika. People who get it often develop a sudden fever and very painful, swollen joints. Other symptoms can include rash, headache, and muscle aches. Most people recover fully, though joint pain sometimes lingers.

Globally, chikungunya is making headlines. In China’s Guangdong Province, thousands of cases have been reported this summer, marking the country’s largest outbreak to date. Heavy rainfall and flooding created perfect breeding conditions, which allowed mosquitoes to multiply quickly. Local officials have been spraying neighborhoods, using drones to spot standing water, and even issuing fines for not clearing mosquito habitats.

Other regions are facing outbreaks as well, including parts of Africa, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean islands. Health experts are watching closely, since the same mosquitoes are already common in the Americas. The World Health Organization has even noted that chikungunya could spread more widely if not carefully managed, similar to global outbreaks seen in the past.

Why This Matters Here at Home

Although Tampa, Atlanta, St. Simons Island, Charleston, Savannah, and Virginia Beach have not seen local chikungunya outbreaks, the mosquitoes that could carry it are present in our areas. With so much international travel in and out of the Southeast, there is always a chance the virus could be introduced. Climate trends, frequent rains, warmer weather and longer mosquito seasons, add to the challenge.

The bottom line is that prevention is the best protection.

Simple Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family

A few small changes can go a long way toward avoiding bites:

Use an insect repellent registered with the EPA and reapply as directed.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing to make it harder for mosquitoes to bite.
Empty out standing water around your yard, such as in buckets, gutters, or birdbaths.
Keep mosquitoes outside by using screens on windows and doors or running the air conditioner.

Travel Watch: Areas Seeing Chikungunya Activity

If you are planning international travel, here are some regions currently reporting outbreaks:

Guangdong Province in China, especially the city of Foshan
Indian Ocean islands including Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius, as well as Madagascar
Sri Lanka and parts of India
Kenya and Somalia in Africa
Bolivia and areas of Brazil in South America

Public health agencies like the CDC and WHO recommend using repellent consistently when visiting these areas.

Mosquitoes may be unavoidable in the Southeast, but mosquito-borne illnesses don’t have to be. With a little prevention and awareness, we can all enjoy summer evenings, backyard cookouts, and beach days safely. Staying mosquito-smart helps keep our communities healthy and thriving.