After just over ten years of the first cases identified in the country, Chikungunya’s causing virus still brings a series of concerns to Brazil. The warning is by the rheumatologist Viviane Machicado Cavalcante, president of the Bahian Society of Rheumatology (Sobare).
During a conference held within the National Congress of Rheumatology, which takes place until this Saturday (20) at the Salvador Convention Center (BA), she stressed that one of the great challenges related to the disease is the control of the vector, ie, the fight against mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictustransmitters of the virus.
“There are still many challenges for us to treat and control this disease in Brazil. The first highlight we have is the control of this vector. We live in a tropical zone and where there is difficulty in control because [da falta de] Basic sanitation. And we also need an adaptation of the health system to monitor these patients, especially in the public network. Depending on the region, there are not enough outpatient clinics in Brazil to accompany this patient, ”she said.
Two weeks ago, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that it was concerned about localized outbreaks of the disease in countries of the Americas. According to PAHO epidemiological warning, Chikungunya’s largest outbreaks in 2025 focused on South America, particularly in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and parts of the Caribbean. Until August 9, 2025, 14 countries in the region reported a total of 212,029 suspicious cases of chikungunya and 110 deaths, with more than 97% of these cases occurring in South America.
“The simultaneous presence of these and other arboviruses increases the risk of outbreaks, serious complications and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations,” said PAunters.
In this year 2025 alone, Brazil has already recorded 121,803 cases of chikungunya, with 113 deaths confirmed by September 17, according to the Arbovirus monitoring panel, released by the Ministry of Health.
“The Northeast was a big epicenter of this disease, so it was here that the first cases occurred, we started to treat this disease more and it still continues [a existir] with large load. Today the virus is spread throughout Brazil and there is a description that there have been about seven major epidemic waves detected in the country in the last ten years. In the last year, we had mainly the states of Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, with a large number of cases of the disease, ”explained the expert.
Vaccine
Recently, the Butantan Institute announced a disease vaccine, developed in partnership with pharmaceutical company Valneva. The immunizer contains a living and attenuated version of the chikungunya virus, which can cause symptoms similar to those of the disease.
In April this year, the vaccine received Approval of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), which authorized its application in people over 18 years. However, in August this year, the US regulatory agency Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which had also approved the vaccine, decided to suspend its license after the report of serious adverse effects, which culminated in hospitalizations and deaths.
This suspension, said Viviane Machica Cavalcante, can make Anvisa also reassess her decision on the same immunizer.
“This news is recent from late August. About a month ago, the United States, who have this vaccine approved and was already on sale, suspended the immunizer’s license, because some cases of adverse effects related to the vaccine were evidenced, including idiopathic encephalitis.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the mosquito bite Aedes aegyptithe same transmitter of dengue and zika. It can cause chronic joint pain. The most common symptoms are high fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, chills, pain behind the eyes and red spots on the body. In severe cases, patients may develop chronic joint pain that can last years.
The main form of prevention is the fight against mosquito, eliminating breeding and water stored in pots of plants, tires, plastic bottles and unused pools. It is in the standing water that the mosquito lays its eggs.
* The reporter traveled at the invitation of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR).
