chikungunya

noun

chik·​un·​gun·​ya ˌchi-kən-ˈgu̇n-yə How to pronounce chikungunya (audio)
ˌchi-ku̇ŋ-
: a febrile disease that resembles dengue, occurs especially in parts of Africa, India, and southeastern Asia, and is caused by a togavirus (species Chikungunya virus of the genus Alphavirus) transmitted especially by aedes mosquitoes
Chikungunya is rarely fatal but can cause severe fevers, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and muscle and joint pains.—Martin Enserink

Examples of chikungunya in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
County officials warned that the mosquito can transmit diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 These mosquitoes are also responsible for spreading Zika and chikungunya viruses. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024 This is why, entomologists argue, mosquitoes have brought new diseases to the European continent in the last decade, including dengue fever to France and Croatia, chikungunya in Italy and malaria in Greece. —Jules Howard, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 Take dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile Virus, for example. —Alice Park, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chikungunya 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Kimakonde (Bantu language of the Makonde), alleged to mean "that which bends up"

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chikungunya was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near chikungunya

chikee

chikungunya

chil-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Chikungunya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chikungunya. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

chikungunya

noun
chik·​un·​gun·​ya ˌchik-ən-ˈgu̇n-yə, ˌchik-u̇ŋ- How to pronounce chikungunya (audio)
: a febrile disease that resembles dengue, occurs especially in parts of Africa, India, and southeastern Asia, and is caused by a togavirus of the genus Alphavirus (species Chikungunya virus) transmitted by mosquitoes especially of the genus Aedes

called also chikungunya fever

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