A Scoping Review of Chikungunya Virus Infection: Pathogenesis, Transmission and Prevention Strategies

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a re-emerging arbovirus, induces a debilitating musculoskeletal inflammatory disease in humans, manifesting as fever, polyarthralgia, myalgia, rash, and headache. CHIKV is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus and exhibits a highly efficient epidemic and urban transmission cycle. Since 2004, CHIKV has expanded into new regions, leading to outbreaks on a global scale, and the risk of future epidemics remains substantial. The virus’s evolution, along with factors such as globalization and climate change, may have facilitated its geographic spread. Despite CHIKV’s ability to cause millions of infections and impose a considerable economic burden on affected regions, no licensed vaccines or antiviral treatments are currently available. This review explores the epidemiology, recent trends, pathogenesis, transmission dynamics, and diagnostic approaches for CHIKV, while also evaluating potential vaccine candidates and future research directions.