The United States has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Nigeria, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to reports of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus  sweeping through China and some other countries.
The notice also applies to China, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The advisory, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department, warns that the virus—which causes fever, joint pain, and fatigue—has been detected in multiple states.
CDC officials reported four more cases this week, bringing the total in the U.S. to 50 , all of which are in people who traveled to areas where it’s more common, such as Asia, Africa and South America.
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the same insects responsible for dengue and Zika. Symptoms typically include:
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High fever
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Severe joint pain (often lasting weeks)
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Headache and muscle pain
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Rash
While rarely fatal, the virus can lead to prolonged discomfort, especially in older adults or those with underlying health conditions.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Health has yet to release an official statement, but local health officials have noted increased mosquito activity due to recent heavy rains.
This marks the first major travel warning for Nigeria tied to chikungunya, though the country has previously faced alerts over diseases like yellow fever and Lassa fever.
