Chikungunya virus infection is not considered being contagious because there is no direct human to human transfer of Chikungunya viruses, so infected individuals cannot directly transfer the virus to another human because the virus has to pass through a mosquito first. However, outbreaks can occur in populations where both mosquitoes and humans are infected with the virus. Rarely, the virus may be transmitted from the mother to her newborn as well. Researchers suggest the virus may be transferred by blood transfusions from an infected individual.