Chikungunya returns to Guyana after eight-year absence

Guyana has recorded renewed chikungunya transmission after eight years without local cases, prompting fresh concerns as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) urges countries across the Americas to strengthen disease surveillance and prepare health services for potential outbreaks.

In an epidemiological update published on October 20, PAHO disclosed that Guyana recorded six chikungunya cases in 2025, marking the return of local transmission after an eight-year absence. Two cases have been confirmed so far this year.

The warning comes as South America approaches the peak transmission season for dengue and chikungunya, with PAHO also pointing to the anticipated intensification of the El Niño phenomenon as a factor requiring heightened preparedness. Although dengue cases across the Americas have declined overall compared with 2025, PAHO cautioned that the trend is not consistent across all countries.