Health Alert
Chikungunya in Italy
Updated October 3, 2017What is the current situation?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported locally transmitted cases of chikungunya in three areas of Italy: Rome, the coastal area of Anzio (about 30 miles south of Rome), and the city of Latina (about 15 miles east of Anzio). Local transmission means that mosquitoes in those areas of Italy have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people.
Chikungunya is spread through mosquito bites and can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, and pain in the eyes, joints, and muscles.
Public health officials are responding by spraying for mosquitoes, issuing guidelines for healthcare providers, and educating the public about chikungunya and how to prevent mosquito bites.
What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya?
Prevent mosquito bites.
Discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider if you’re in one of the following groups, which may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease, or be at higher risk for other reasons:
People who have arthritis
People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes)
People older than 65
Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk of severe disease for babies born at the time their mother is sick
Long-term travelers, including missionaries, humanitarian aid workers, and people visiting friends and relatives
People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without window screens or air conditioning
Learn more about chikungunya, how to prevent it, and what to do if you think you are infected at CDC’s chikungunya page for travelers.
Traveler Information
Chikungunya fact sheet
Avoid bug bites
CDC chikungunya website
Clinician Information
Chikungunya in CDC Health Information for International Travel (“Yellow Book”)
Chikungunya fact sheet for clinicians
CDC chikungunya website
Chikungunya information for healthcare providers
Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Arthropods in CDC Health Information for International Travel (“Yellow Book”)
File Formats Help:
How do I view different file formats (PDF, DOC, PPT, MPEG) on this site?
Adobe PDF file
Page created: September 26, 2017
Page last updated: September 26, 2017
Page last reviewed: September 26, 2017
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)