Chikungunya infection: First autochthonous cases in Taiwan

Abstract

The first autochthonous case and the first outbreak of chikungunya in Taiwan occurred during July–October 2019, with a total of 21 cases confirmed. Genetic analysis revealed the strains belonged to East/Central/South African genotype and had 99.95%–100% identity with the strains from the imported cases from Myanmar in 2019. This event confirmed that the imported chikungunya cases has the potential to cause autochthonous transmission in Taiwan; intensified surveillance and vector control measures are essential to contain the outbreak.

Keywords

• Autochthonous
• Chikungunya
• Chikungunya virus
• Outbreak
• Taiwan