What Bit Me?!
Don’t Let Bites and Stings Ruin Your Trip
From mosquito-borne illnesses to animal bites and venomous marine stingers, travel exposes us to risks most of us never face at home. This series dives into the world of bites and stings — what causes them, where you're most at risk, how to prevent them, and what to do if the worst happens. Whether you're trekking through jungle, swimming in tropical seas, or wandering remote villages, get the facts you need to stay safe, smart, and ready.
Explore the hazards. Protect your adventure.
Things that Bite
What Is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral illness spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same species that carry dengue and Zika. These mosquitoes bite during the day and thrive in tropical and subtropical regions.
The illness typically starts with sudden fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include headache, rash, muscle aches, and fatigue. While rarely fatal, the joint pain can linger for months or even years, disrupting daily activities and travel plans. Most people recover within a week, but there is no specific treatment—management focuses on rest, fluids, and pain relief.
How It Spreads
Transmission occurs when a mosquito bites a person who is infected with chikungunya and then passes the virus to others. People are most infectious during the first week of illness. Unlike flu or COVID-19, chikungunya does not spread directly from person to person.
Rarely, transmission can occur through blood transfusion, laboratory exposure, or from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery. Breastfeeding has not been linked to transmission and remains safe.
Where Is It Found?
Chikungunya has been identified in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Western Pacific. Outbreaks are often reported in urban and semi-urban areas, where mosquitoes are abundant. Seasonal risk tends to increase during rainy periods.
Recent outbreaks have been reported in parts of the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, with travel advisories highlighting Bangladesh, China’s Guangdong Province, Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
Travellers with underlying health conditions, young children, and pregnant women should take extra precautions and seek medical advice before travelling to affected regions.
Is There a Vaccine?
Yes—but not yet available in Australia. The Ixchiq® vaccine has been approved in the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada for adults aged 18 and over, while a newer vaccine, Vimkunya®, has been authorised in the EU for those aged 12 and up. Australia does not currently approve or stock a chikungunya vaccine, though special access may be possible via medical pathways (NHMRC, NSW Health, NCIRS, Wikipedia).
Prevention Tips for Travellers
Because there is no specific cure, prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites:
Repellent: Use products containing DEET, picaridin, or PMD (Citriodiol). Reapply as directed, especially after swimming or sweating.
Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks, especially during daylight hours.
Accommodation: Choose places with air conditioning, screened windows, or use mosquito nets if these are not available.
Preparedness: Carry lightweight long clothing, insect repellent, a basic travel health kit, and pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The Takeaway
Chikungunya is rarely life-threatening, but its painful symptoms and long recovery can ruin travel plans. With no widely available vaccine in Australia, the best defence is smart mosquito bite prevention. By staying informed and prepared, travellers can reduce their risk and enjoy a safer journey.
What Is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral illness spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same species that carry dengue and Zika. These mosquitoes bite during the day and thrive in tropical and subtropical regions.
The illness typically starts with sudden fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include headache, rash, muscle aches, and fatigue. While rarely fatal, the joint pain can linger for months or even years, disrupting daily activities and travel plans. Most people recover within a week, but there is no specific treatment—management focuses on rest, fluids, and pain relief.
How It Spreads
Transmission occurs when a mosquito bites a person who is infected with chikungunya and then passes the virus to others. People are most infectious during the first week of illness. Unlike flu or COVID-19, chikungunya does not spread directly from person to person.
Rarely, transmission can occur through blood transfusion, laboratory exposure, or from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery. Breastfeeding has not been linked to transmission and remains safe.
Where Is It Found?
Chikungunya has been identified in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Western Pacific. Outbreaks are often reported in urban and semi-urban areas, where mosquitoes are abundant. Seasonal risk tends to increase during rainy periods.
Recent outbreaks have been reported in parts of the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, with travel advisories highlighting Bangladesh, China’s Guangdong Province, Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
Travellers with underlying health conditions, young children, and pregnant women should take extra precautions and seek medical advice before travelling to affected regions.
Is There a Vaccine?
Yes—but not yet available in Australia. The Ixchiq® vaccine has been approved in the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada for adults aged 18 and over, while a newer vaccine, Vimkunya®, has been authorised in the EU for those aged 12 and up. Australia does not currently approve or stock a chikungunya vaccine, though special access may be possible via medical pathways (NHMRC, NSW Health, NCIRS, Wikipedia).
Prevention Tips for Travellers
Because there is no specific cure, prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites:
Repellent: Use products containing DEET, picaridin, or PMD (Citriodiol). Reapply as directed, especially after swimming or sweating.
Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks, especially during daylight hours.
Accommodation: Choose places with air conditioning, screened windows, or use mosquito nets if these are not available.
Preparedness: Carry lightweight long clothing, insect repellent, a basic travel health kit, and pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The Takeaway
Chikungunya is rarely life-threatening, but its painful symptoms and long recovery can ruin travel plans. With no widely available vaccine in Australia, the best defence is smart mosquito bite prevention. By staying informed and prepared, travellers can reduce their risk and enjoy a safer journey.