A New Vaccine for Chikungunya Virus

Arboviruses (arthropod-borne) are a group of viruses that encompass hundreds of members and span multiple viral families making it one of the most genetically diverse, widespread, and dangerous groups of viruses on earth. Arboviruses are transmitted to humans by a variety of geographically widespread arthropod vectors (most commonly, mosquitoes and ticks) so that these viruses can change location with human hosts or arthropod vectors, with potential for rapid spread wherever these vectors are present. Past outbreaks of West Nile virus and recent outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis virus, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the Americas highlight that these viruses can move rapidly through new populations and may cause outbreaks associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
Source: JAMA - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research