U.S. health officials are urging travelers to take added precautions as several tropical regions confront growing outbreaks of chikungunya, an illness spread by mosquitoes and notorious for causing widespread infections in warm climates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new travel alerts on Friday, warning Americans that trips to certain destinations may come with elevated health risks.
CDC Raises Risk Level for Four International Destinations
According to the CDC, Level 2 travel advisories – which encourage travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” – have now been issued for Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China’s Guangdong Province. Each of these locations has reported significant spikes in chikungunya cases throughout 2025, prompting the U.S. agency to step up public warnings.
Health officials emphasize that although no specific treatment currently exists for chikungunya, the disease is vaccine-preventable. The CDC recommends vaccination for anyone planning to visit areas facing confirmed outbreaks or sustained transmission. Preventing mosquito bites remains another central strategy, especially in regions where the virus is actively circulating.
What Travelers Should Know About Chikungunya Risks
Chikungunya is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes – the same type known to spread dengue and Zika. The virus can move rapidly through communities, especially in densely populated or tropical areas where mosquito control is difficult. Because no antiviral therapy is available, public health agencies emphasize prevention and awareness for anyone traveling internationally.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the virus’s global impact has surged in recent years. A notice issued on Oct. 3 states that 445,000 suspected and confirmed cases have been recorded worldwide between January and September 2025, along with 155 deaths.
Regions Experiencing Significant Outbreaks
Bangladesh has faced one of the more alarming regional upticks. In Dhaka alone, WHO cites 700 suspected cases reported between January and September. Local health agencies continue monitoring spread patterns as seasonal weather conditions support heavy mosquito activity, according to FOX News.
China’s Guangdong Province is currently managing what officials describe as the country’s most significant chikungunya outbreak to date. As of late September, health authorities confirmed 16,000 locally transmitted infections, marking an unprecedented surge. Meanwhile, Cuba reported 34 confirmed cases through late September and has already launched targeted public health interventions to curb further spread.
Sri Lanka has also experienced notable transmission, recording 150 confirmed cases between the start of the year and mid-March. WHO officials note that infections appeared to peak in June, though monitoring continues.
Additional Nations Facing Elevated Risk
Beyond the countries explicitly under Level 2 advisory, the CDC cautions that travelers heading to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand may also encounter increased chikungunya exposure, even if no active outbreak is currently declared.
Within the United States, the virus has not been locally transmitted since 2019, though imported cases from travelers occasionally appear. Health agencies stress that staying informed, getting vaccinated when appropriate and taking mosquito-avoidance measures remain key steps for anyone traveling abroad.