Chikungunya infection--an emerging disease in Malaysia

Many countries neighboring Malaysia have reported human infections by chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne togavirus belonging to the genus Alphavirus. However, although there is serological evidence of its presence in Malaysia, chikungunya virus has not been known to be associated with clinical illness in the country. An outbreak of chikungunya virus occurred in Klang, Malaysia, between December 1998 and February 1999. The majority of the cases were in adults and the clinical presentation was similar to classical chikungunya infections. Malaysia is heavily dependent on migrant workers from countries where chikungunya is endemic. It is speculated that the virus has been re-introduced into the country through the movement of these workers.