Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus infection from the Togaviridae family. CHIKV is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The virus was first identified in 1953 during an epidemic in Tanzania. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported throughout Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Chikungunya is characterized by high fever, headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, red eyes, and swollen glands. The illness usually lasts two to seven days, and it can lead to long-term arthritis. People who are over 50 years old are at greater risk for serious complications from CHIKV infection. Those with existing health problems are at higher risk for severe disease. In addition to being a human pathogen, CHIKV has also been found in African monkeys, which makes it likely that the virus will evolve into a form that is able to spread among animals.