The history of Chikungunya virus

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus and belongs to the Togaviridae family (Schuffenecker et al., 2006). It causes chikungunya fever (CHIK fever), a febrile illness associated with severe arthralgia and rash (Adebajo, 1996; Deller and Russell,1967; Ligon, 2006; McGill, 1995). The alphaviruses consist of 30 species of arthropod-borne viruses, which are further subgrouped into seven serocomplexes based on serological data (Porterfield, 1980; Strauss and Strauss, 1994; Van Regenmortel et al., 2000). CHIKV belongs to the Semliki Forest virus antigenic complex that also contains the O’Nyong Nyong, Mayaro, and Ross River viruses. Chikungunya is a Makonde word (Bantu language) meaning ‘The one which bends up’ referring to the posture of the affected patient acquired due to excruciating pain in the joints (Robinson, 1955).