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On Oct 16th, the New York State Department of Health has confirmed the first locally acquired case of Chikungunya on Long Island, raising concern as the mosquito-borne virus continues to spread across several parts of the world. This marks the first local transmission of the virus in the United States since 2019.
According to officials, laboratory testing conducted at the Wadsworth Center confirmed the case in Nassau County. Health authorities said the individual likely contracted the virus through a bite from an infected mosquito, though the exact source of exposure remains under investigation.
Three additional Chikungunya cases have been detected in 2025 outside New York City, all linked to international travel to regions currently facing active outbreaks.
"People at higher risk for severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, adults aged 65 and older, and individuals with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease," the New York State Department of Health said in a statement.
Originating in southern China, the virus has recently surged across Europe, with France reporting 700 cases and Italy 353 as of October 5, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Health experts warn that a mix of climate change and increased global travel has allowed Aedes mosquitoes — which transmit the virus — to thrive in new environments. "The outbreak reflects both the global spread of Chikungunya and the favorable conditions for mosquito-borne diseases in southern China,” said Guang-Guo Ying of South China Normal University, lead author of a report published in Biocontaminant.
The Chikungunya virus causes high fever, severe joint pain, rash, and fatigue. While rarely fatal, the infection can cause prolonged discomfort, particularly among the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that over 100 countries have reported Chikungunya outbreaks, with travel from China identified as a major factor in the ongoing global wave.
Aedes mosquitoe, which transmits the virus
Sources：First locally acquired Chikungunya case reported on Long Island since 2019
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