Chikungunya spreads in Pakistan as U.S. rolls out first vaccine solution

KARACHI: A surge in Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is witnessed across Pakistan in recent months, particularly in Sindh, with Karachi at its epicenter. Symptoms of the disease include severe joint pain, fever, headaches, and in rare cases, life-threatening complications such as neurological disorders or paralysis. Cases are expected to persist through December, alongside the concurrent dengue outbreak​.
Worldwide, chikungunya remains a major public health challenge, with nearly 460,000 cases reported in 2024. Countries like Brazil and India are among the most affected. To combat the disease, the United States recently licensed a vaccine, IXCHIQ, in November 2023. It is a live attenuated vaccine, approved for adults aged 18 and older, administered as a single-dose 0.5mL injection. While booster doses are not yet recommended, the vaccine has demonstrated robust immune responses in trials, with seroresponse rates exceeding 96% for at least six months​.
While IXCHIQ has been approved in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, its rollout in Pakistan awaits WHO clearance. The Sindh Health Department has implemented measures like vector control and public awareness campaigns, but their effectiveness is under scrutiny. As Pakistan faces significant healthcare challenges, access to vaccines like IXCHIQ could be pivotal in mitigating future outbreaks. For now, prevention remains crucial, with strategies focused on mosquito bite avoidance and environmental controls to reduce breeding grounds​.
This crisis underlines the urgent need for global collaboration in research, vaccine access, and effective disease management strategies. The situation in Pakistan serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust public health infrastructure and proactive disease prevention measures.