In the past few months, Singapore has experienced a significant increase in the number of chikungunya cases, prompting authorities to closely monitor the situation amidst global concerns about the mosquito-borne virus.

According to the Communicable Diseases Agency’s (CDA) infectious disease bulletin published on Aug 7, there have been 17 cases of chikungunya fever in Singapore since the beginning of the year up to Aug 2.

This number is more than double the eight cases reported during the same period in 2024, when the total number of cases for the entire year was 15.

Of the cases reported in 2026, at least 13 individuals had recently traveled to affected areas overseas, while at least three local cases are not linked to one another, as confirmed by CDA in response to inquiries from The Straits Times.

The number of cases started with two in February, gradually increasing to around two cases per month until reaching nine by the end of May. The numbers then spiked to 13 in June and further to 16 in July.

CDA mentioned that if new information indicates an increased risk of the virus in Singapore, they will reassess the need for additional public health measures.

Chikungunya, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, typically does not result in fatalities but can cause fever, severe joint pain, and long-term disability. There is currently no specific treatment available for the virus.

The World Health Organization issued an urgent call to action in July to prevent a recurrence of a chikungunya epidemic that occurred globally two decades ago, affecting nearly half a million people from 2004 to 2005, primarily in small island territories.

The recent surge started in early 2026, with significant outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands previously impacted, including La Reunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius.

China has also seen around 8,000 chikungunya cases in the past four weeks, mainly concentrated in Foshan, marking the country’s largest outbreak since the virus first appeared in 2008.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced plans to issue a travel advisory for China due to the rising number of chikungunya infections there.

Singapore faces a risk of chikungunya transmission due to the presence of the Aedes mosquito in the country and the introduction of the virus by travelers, as stated by CDA.

CDA emphasized that chikungunya outbreaks are on the rise in the Americas, Asia, and Europe in 2026, posing a heightened risk to individuals in temperate regions due to climate change.

The public is advised to stay vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent mosquito breeding in homes and workplaces. Travelers to chikungunya-affected areas should protect themselves against mosquito bites by using effective insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, or staying in screened rooms to prevent insect entry.

If travelers fall ill, they should seek medical attention promptly, inform the healthcare provider of their travel history and any mosquito bites, and use insect repellent to prevent infecting mosquitoes that could then transmit the disease to others, according to CDA.