News > Expanding Pathoplexus: Chikungunya virus added
By the Pathoplexus Team - 29 September 2026
Today, Pathoplexus launches an additional viral pathogen: Chikungunya virus. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) derives its name from a word in the “Kimakonde” language of southern Tanzania, meaning “that which bends up” and describes the contorted posture of infected people with severe joint pain. CHIKV is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. An infection with CHIKV commonly presents with signs and symptoms that are similar to those of other infections like dengue and Zika viruses, and in the absence of excruciating joint pain, the infection may go unrecognised.
Although the virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952, urban transmission of CHIKV was first recorded in Thailand and India in 1967 and the 1970s, respectively. Although transmission has been interrupted for several years at a time, especially in island areas where a high proportion of the population became infected, it has persisted in countries with large naive populations. Reports from the World Health Organisation indicate that the disease has been reported in more than 110 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHIKV often causes large outbreaks with high attack rates, affecting up to 75% of the population in areas where the virus is circulating.
Chikungunya virus can be categorised into three major lineages: the East/Central/South African (ECSA), Asian, and West African lineages.
As with other organisms, you can share Chikungunya virus data as Open immediately or specify that data be Restricted-Use for up to 1 year, before becoming Open. Restricted-Use data is still available but is restricted in how it can be used in publications or preprints. All Open data is sent on to INSDC-member databases.
We hope that by adding Chikungunya virus to Pathoplexus we can support the response efforts for future outbreaks as well as improve our understanding of the virus’ evolution. In addition, we hope to continue expanding the pathogens that Pathoplexus can support in the future.