Chikungunya Virus - Centro Nazionale Sangue

Chikungunya Virus

30 October, 2026

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the Alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae (Arbovirus).

After an incubation period of 3-12 days, symptoms similar to those of flu may appear, including high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, and especially severe joint pain (hence the name chikungunya, which in Swahili means “that which bends up” or “contorts”), causing patients to remain completely immobile and assume positions that help limit the pain.

In some cases, the clinical picture includes an itchy maculopapular skin rash, with possible benign haemorrhagic characteristics (petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis, and gingivorragiae). Generally, all symptoms disappear spontaneously, usually within a few days, although joint pain may persist for many months.

More serious complicationsare rare and can be haemorrhagic or neurological, especially in children. In very rare cases, chikungunya can be fatal, especially in elderly people with underlying pathologies.

Update October 23, 2026

Italy
Given the absence of further reports of autochthonous human cases of CHIKV infection on the Italian National Institute of Health’s (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) “Arbovirus Surveillance” platform, and the lack of notifications regarding any positive entomological findings—in line with ECDC guidance—it is hereby ordered that, effective October 7, 2026, the preventive measures established for the Municipality of Rome (as detailed in the circular provided below) shall be suspended.

Europe
Following notifications received via the European Commission’s platform (Rapid alerts for human blood and blood components), surveillance and preventive measures remain in effect for individuals who have stayed in the following territories:

Francia:
– Department of Gard
– Department of Gironda
– Department of Landes
– Department of Lot
– Department of Pirenei Atlantici
– Department of Tarn (Regione Occitania)
– Department of Valle della Marna
– Department of Var

In accordance with ECDC guidance, it is also hereby notified that the CHIKV outbreak remains ongoing in the French overseas departments of Réunion, Mayotteand French Guiana (France). Accordingly, the measures set out in the communications of 24 January and 30 May 2025, and 20 April 2026, remain in force.

Figure 1. Notification rate of Chikungunya virus disease cases per 100,000 population – period November 2025–January 2026.

Decrees (IT Text)
Circolare CNS del 21 aprile 2026 – Aggiornamento globale CHIKV 2026
Circolare Ministero della Salute del 30 aprile 2026 – ARBOVIROSI: Prevenzione, sorveglianza ed interventi in risposta alla circolazione delle arbovirosi oggetto di sorveglianza del Piano Nazionale di revenzione, sorveglianza e risposta alle Arbovirosi, PNA 2020-2025 – stagione vettoriale 2026.