Chikungunya virus

Key facts Chikungunya infection is caused by a virus that spreads by mosquito bites from infected mosquitos. Chikungunya virus occurs most commonly in Africa, Asia and the West Pacific. Most cases in Australia occur in people returning from overseas. You should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites to reduce your chances of infection with chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases. What is chikungunya infection? Chikungunya infection is caused by a virus. You can catch it if you are bitten by an infected mosquito (a “mozzie”). The female Aedes mosquito spreads chikungunya, as well as the viruses that cause dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika virus.