Global Chikungunya Outbreak Highlights Importance of Military Health Readiness

CDC advisories regarding mosquito-borne disease outbreaks underscore the critical need for surveillance, education, and prevention to protect deployed service members.

A mosquito is examined as part of disease surveillance efforts. Understanding changes in the global distribution

of these vectors is vital for force protection, as outbreaks can significantly impact military operational readiness.

(Photo credit: AFC Kimberly Barrera)

January 7, 2026 by Zachary Willis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year issued travel advisories for multiple regions experiencing outbreaks of chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. While often framed as a concern for civilian travelers, uniformed medical experts note the implications extend far beyond tourism.

As global outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease continue to emerge across tropical and subtropical regions, military health experts are emphasizing the importance of preparedness, prevention, and rapid clinical response—particularly for service members deploying worldwide.

“Global outbreaks like this are not isolated public health events,” said Dr. Simon Pollett, associate science director at the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) and associate professor of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics (PMB). “They are indicators of the health environments our service members may encounter during deployments, humanitarian missions, and contingency operations.”

Chikungunya infection typically causes sudden onset of fever, fatigue, headache, and severe joint pain. While most patients recover, some experience debilitating joint symptoms that can persist for months, which poses a significant risk to operational readiness in deployed settings.

Service members routinely deploy to regions where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, often operating in austere environments where exposure risk is elevated and preventive measures may be limited.

“Chikungunya infections among U.S. service members are generally rare, but during sudden local outbreaks in endemic regions, the risk rises sharply, matching that of the local population”, said Dr. Tahaniyat Lalani, research area director for deployment and travel related infections for IDCRP. “Up to 40% of cases can progress to chronic joint disease and prolonged time off duty. These realities highlight the need for proactive prevention strategies, including emerging vaccines and enhanced surveillance, to safeguard operational readiness”.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Medical care focuses on symptom management, making prevention the most effective countermeasure. These measures include use of insect repellents and protective clothing, environmental controls to limit mosquito exposure, and in some circumstances vaccination when appropriate.

For military clinicians, early recognition and appropriate laboratory-based diagnosis is also critical. Chikungunya symptoms can resemble other tropical illnesses such as dengue or malaria, making accurate diagnosis and responsive care essential in deployed or forward medical settings.

“Educating providers about epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of tropical diseases rarely seen in the United States but commonly encountered on deployments or humanitarian relief exercises has been a cornerstone of military medicine since the 1940s. USU is a world leader in providing robust education in Tropical Medicine in the classroom, the laboratory, and the field to all levels of learners from first year medical students to post-graduate operational medicine providers.” said PMB Professor Kyle Petersen. 

Military medical professionals utilize advanced laboratory training to detect infectious diseases. Early

recognition and accurate laboratory-based diagnosis are critical for distinguishing chikungunya from

other tropical illnesses in deployed settings. (USU Photo)

Experts note that outbreaks of chikungunya and other arboviruses are increasing worldwide, driven by climate shifts, global travel, population movement, and dynamic population immunity. For the Department of Defense, these trends highlight the intersection of global health and national security.

“Changes in the global distribution of key mosquitoes and the often unpredictable nature of chikungunya outbreaks underscores that disease surveillance and outbreak awareness are force protection issues,” said Pollett. “The earlier we understand where risks are emerging, the better we can inform leaders and protect the force.”

USU plays a critical role in preparing health professionals to respond to infectious disease threats. Through its four colleges and numerous research centers, USU educates future physicians, advanced practice nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals who are trained specifically for operational environments.

USU faculty conduct research in infectious disease, preventive medicine, and global health, while students receive extensive training focused on caring for patients in austere and high-risk settings.

“Emerging infectious diseases like chikungunya highlight the unique and critical  role USU plays for military medicine,” said Dr. Timothy Burgess from IDCRP and PMB. “Our mission is to ensure military clinicians are ready not only to treat disease, but to anticipate, prevent and respond to it—anywhere in the world.”

As outbreaks continue to evolve across regions where U.S. forces operate, military health leaders emphasize that awareness, education, and prevention remain the strongest defenses.

Ultimately, the goal for military medicine is to stay ahead of the threat. By understanding what risks exist prior to deployment, military leaders can better protect service members, ensuring mission readiness regardless of the operating environment.