Chikungunya Fever in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Seroepidemiology and Clinical Presentation

Background: The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the cause of Chikungunya fever, a virus spread by mosquitoes mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, has had repeated epidemics.Objective: To assess the clinical manifestation and seroepidemiology of chikungunya fever in Dhaka's urban area.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and September 2025 on 340 patients who had a confirmed or suspected chikungunya infection. Serological profiles (IgM/IgG ELISA), clinical characteristics, and demographic data were gathered and examined.Results: The mean age of the 340 patients was 34.7 ± 12.4 years, with 198 (58.2%) being female. The most common symptoms were fever (100%), multiarthralgia (92%), headache (67%), rash (48%), and myalgia (44%). IgM was 68% positive, and IgG was 22%. Eighteen percent of patients reported having persistent arthralgia. In late July and early August of 2025, the pandemic curve reached its peak.Conclusion: Chikungunya fever exhibits distinctive clinical characteristics and a significant seroprevalence in Dhaka city. To effectively manage outbreaks, increased surveillance, vector control, and clinician knowledge are crucial.