WHO sounds alarm on risk of chikungunya epidemic
The WHO said it was picking up exactly the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago and wanted to prevent a repeat.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. In some cases it can be deadly.
"Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk," said the WHO's Diana Rojas Alvarez.
She recalled how from 2004 to 2005, a major chikungunya epidemic swept across the Indian Ocean, hitting small island territories before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.
"Today, WHO is seeing the same pattern emerge: since the beginning of 2025, Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius have all reported major chikungunya outbreaks. One-third of the population of Reunion is estimated to have been infected already," she told a press briefing in Geneva.
The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus disease, making it difficult to diagnose, according to the WHO.
Rojas Alvarez said that like 20 years ago, the virus was now spreading to other places in the region, such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya.
"Epidemic transmission is also occurring in south Asia," she added.
In Europe, imported cases have also been reported, linked with the outbreak in the Indian Ocean islands. Local transmission has been reported in France, and suspected cases detected in Italy.
"Because these patterns of transmission were seen in the outbreak from 2004 onwards, WHO is calling for urgent action to prevent history from repeating itself," said Rojas Alvarez.
She noted that the case fatality rate was less than one percent, "but when you start counting millions of cases, that one percent can be thousands" of deaths.
"We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early, detect and strengthen all the capacities to avoid going through very large outbreaks."
Rojas Alvarez explained that in regions where populations have little or no immunity, the virus can quickly cause significant epidemics, affecting up to three-quarters of the population.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing farther north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change.
They bite primarily during daylight hours, with peak activity often in the early morning and late afternoon.
The WHO urged people to protect themselves through measures like using mosquito repellent and not leaving water to stagnate in containers such as buckets, where mosquitoes can breed. - AFP
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Mohd Yuzaini, meanwhile, suggested that health programmes involving nutritionists, fitness trainers and counsellors be conducted more frequently in schools for students as well as their parents, so they are better informed on how to tackle obesity while also raising awareness about obesity-related diseases. 'Parents should also be informed of their children's (physical) condition, especially when their schools conduct certain tests like the 'Ujian Standard Kecergasan Fizikal Kebangsaan Untuk Murid Sekolah Malaysia' (SEGAK), which can indirectly help prevent obesity among students,' he added. SEGAK is a mandatory physical fitness test conducted twice a year in all government schools in Malaysia, designed to measure students' physical fitness levels based on health indicators. Parents must lead While Mikhael's family is doing their part, experts say the real change must start at home – and with consistent parental support. 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Touching on his '30-Day Health Challenge' online programme, held monthly throughout the year, Kevin said the response has been very encouraging, with many families participating to support children who struggle with excess weight and obesity. 'Many parents initially wanted to enrol only their overweight children in the programme, but I encouraged them to join as a family. This is to prevent the child from feeling ashamed, stressed or having low self-esteem. 'It turned out that my approach not only makes the programme more enjoyable for the whole family but they also get to lead a healthier lifestyle. With the 'fit family' concept, it becomes more meaningful as they spend quality time together and support each other,' he said, adding parents should not rely solely on doctors or schools to look into their children's health. Kevin added that while supplements can be used, for example by athletes or to make up for certain nutrient deficiencies, they are not a substitute for real food because what is more important is making healthy food choices to maintain good health. 'My daughter is a national tennis player, while my son goes for football training four times a week. They both take supplements, including multivitamins, to support their growth and cover any nutritional gap. 'As parents, we must take responsibility in leading our own 'circle of influence', which is our family. Start small, like doing physical activities together every Saturday, such as walking, playing badminton or pickleball,' he said, adding that more information about his programme is available at In conclusion, Mikhael's experience underscores the complex web of factors that contribute to childhood obesity – from possible genetic predisposition and family lifestyle to eating habits and emotional influences. His journey also reflects the harsh reality faced by many Malaysian children whose health is silently shaped by daily routines, social norms and limited physical activity. His story is not unique but rather a wake-up call. If childhood obesity continues to be overlooked or normalised, the long-term consequences on health, well-being and national productivity could be severe. Early intervention, family support and stronger public awareness are crucial to change the narrative – one child, one household at a time. Tomorrow: From type 2 diabetes to fatty liver and sleep apnoea, part two explores the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children due to obesity, and highlights the importance of early treatment and public awareness. — Bernama
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