Chikungunya Virus - Centro Nazionale Sangue

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 4 September 2026
Synoptic Map – CHIKV – 04/09/2026

Italy
Following the reporting, via the National Institute of Health’s Arboviral Disease Surveillance Platform, of confirmed locally acquired cases in the following territories:

– Municipality of Rome

Following measures are hereby adopted

In the affected territories

Implement CHIKV NAT testing for all resident donors.
Donors should be advised to notify their blood establishment/transfusion service should they develop symptoms consistent with CHIKV infection, or receive a diagnosis of CHIKV infection, within 14 days following donation (post-donation information).

Throughout the national territory

Strengthen, across all Blood Transfusion Services and Blood Collection Units, the donor selection medical history assessment required under the applicable legislation, ensuring that donors are asked whether they have stayed, even for a few hours, in the affected areas.
- in the municipality of Rome starting from 5 September

Apply a 28-day temporary deferral period from the date of return for donors who have stayed, even for a few hours, in the affected areas or, alternatively, perform CHIKV NAT testing.
Raise donors’ awareness of the need to inform the relevant Blood Transfusion Service if they develop symptoms compatible with CHIKV infection or receive a diagnosis of CHIKV infection within 14 days following donation (post-donation information).

Europe
Following reports received through the European Commission’s platform (Rapid Alerts for Human Blood and Blood Components), surveillance and preventive measures are also applicable to individuals who have stayed in the following areas:

Francia:
– Gironde Department
– Lot Department
– Tarn Department
– Val-de-Marne Department

In accordance with ECDC guidance, it is also hereby notified that the CHIKV outbreak remains ongoing in the French overseas departments of Réunion, Mayotte and 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.