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Transmission

Through mosquito bites

  • Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.
  • Chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus. They bite during the day and at night.
Aedes aegypti on the left and Aedes albopictus on the right

Aedes mosquitoes transmit chikungunya virus to people. These types of mosquitoes are found throughout much of the world.

 

 

 

Rarely, from mother to child

  • Chikungunya virus is transmitted rarely from mother to newborn around the time of birth.
  • To date, no infants have been found to be infected with chikungunya virus through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where chikungunya virus is circulating.

Rarely, through infected blood

  • In theory, the virus could be spread through a blood transfusion.  To date, there are no known reports of this happening.

Important Information

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