Is Pakistan becoming a safe haven for chikungunya virus? Current status and proposed measures to curtail this emerging public health threat

Background: The recent full-scale outbreaks of chikungunya arbovirus infection in Pakistan, the first in its history, represent a serious new challenge to the nation's public health. Methods: In this retrospective study of successive epidemics that started in 2016 and 2017, to mid 2018 thousands of clinical cases were reported that led to a significant number of fatalities in various cities right across the country. Results: In the face of an already undermined healthcare system, the great burden of morbidity among the workforce caused by the outbreaks is another blow to Pakistan's shrinking economy. Conclusions: In order to reduce the threat of chikungunya-related febrile illness in future, there is a pressing need for a consolidated programme of improved vector control, accurate infection diagnosis, dedicated disease surveillance and well-managed border enforcement measures to be implemented as a public health priority. © 2018 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control