New microbes and new infections · 2026
Cluster of imported chikungunya virus infections in travelers returning from Seychelles to Berlin, December 2025-April 2026.
СтатьяНазвание и аннотация: Перевод в очереди
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Equihua Martinez Gabriela, Lindner Andreas K, Thielecke Marlene, Hammer Janina, Kotsias-Konopelska Sarah, Corman Victor Max, Best Till Dominik, Drosten Christian, Kampmann Beate, Pitzinger Paul
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes acute febrile illness with potentially persisting polyarthralgia, and its global resurgence in international travelers poses a risk of importation into non-endemic regions.
METHODS: We describe a cluster of ten travelers returning from the Seychelles to Berlin, Germany, between December 2025 and April 2026, diagnosed with acute CHIKV infection at an outpatient travel clinic. The diagnosis was confirmed by either reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or serological detection of Immunoglobulin M (IgM). Samples with a sufficient viral load were additionally sequenced.
RESULTS: Symptomatic patients (six male/four female; age range 27-64 years) presented 1-54 days after symptom onset; most reported fever and arthralgia at disease onset. CHIKV infection was confirmed by PCR in five of seven tested patients and by IgM serology in seven patients, including three PCR-positive cases who were initially seronegative early in infection. No dengue infections were detected. All patients were unvaccinated against CHIKV, and only one had sought pre-travel medical advice. Epidemiological assessment suggested multiple probable exposure sites within the Seychelles. Genomic sequencing was successfully performed in two samples.
CONCLUSIONS: This cluster reflects ongoing CHIKV activity in the Seychelles and underscores the risk of international spread to Europe. Early diagnostic testing, particularly PCR during the acute phase, is essential to detect potential viremic patients. Improved pre-travel counseling, vaccination uptake, and clinician awareness are needed to reduce missed diagnoses and mitigate the risk of autochthonous transmission in regions with established Aedes mosquito populations.
METHODS: We describe a cluster of ten travelers returning from the Seychelles to Berlin, Germany, between December 2025 and April 2026, diagnosed with acute CHIKV infection at an outpatient travel clinic. The diagnosis was confirmed by either reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or serological detection of Immunoglobulin M (IgM). Samples with a sufficient viral load were additionally sequenced.
RESULTS: Symptomatic patients (six male/four female; age range 27-64 years) presented 1-54 days after symptom onset; most reported fever and arthralgia at disease onset. CHIKV infection was confirmed by PCR in five of seven tested patients and by IgM serology in seven patients, including three PCR-positive cases who were initially seronegative early in infection. No dengue infections were detected. All patients were unvaccinated against CHIKV, and only one had sought pre-travel medical advice. Epidemiological assessment suggested multiple probable exposure sites within the Seychelles. Genomic sequencing was successfully performed in two samples.
CONCLUSIONS: This cluster reflects ongoing CHIKV activity in the Seychelles and underscores the risk of international spread to Europe. Early diagnostic testing, particularly PCR during the acute phase, is essential to detect potential viremic patients. Improved pre-travel counseling, vaccination uptake, and clinician awareness are needed to reduce missed diagnoses and mitigate the risk of autochthonous transmission in regions with established Aedes mosquito populations.