JONATHAN M. METSCH, Dr.P.H. – Tracking Emerging Public Health Challenges – May 17, 2026 – Chikungunya
To date, the total number of confirmed and probable cases is 837 (746 locally acquired and 91 with a history of travel to Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Cuba).” (1)
“The Florida Department of Health reported two travel-associated chikungunya cases in Hillsborough County during the past week, bringing the total cases in the Tampa-area county to six this year.
Statewide, thirty-two cases with onset in 2026 have been reported in individuals with travel history to a chikungunya-endemic area in the two weeks prior to onset: Alachua, Hernando, Hillsborough (6), Miami-Dade (17), Monroe (2), Orange (2), and Palm Beach (3).”
Chikungunya virus is spread by two mosquito species: Aedes aegypti(primarily) and Aedes albopictus, both found in Florida.
“An infected person will typically become ill 3-7 days after the mosquito bite, but symptoms can begin anywhere from 2-12 days post-bite. These symptoms can last 3-10 days.
Up to 28% of people who are infected will not have any symptoms (asymptomatic), although they can still be infectious to mosquitoes for a short time if bitten”
1.Argentina reports hundreds of new chikungunya cases, by Robert Herriman, https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/argentina-reports-hundreds-of-new
2. Florida: Additional chikungunya cases reported in Hillsborough County, Robert Herriman, https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/florida-additional-chikungunya-cases
curated by Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H.
Clinical Professor of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai