Holidaymakers wishing to travel to a ‘paradise’ island to soak up the sun have been warned of an outbreak of a virus that causes “severe pain”. The Seychelles is one of the most scenic parts of Africa. The archipelago in the Indian Ocean is home to stunning beaches and coastal resorts, making it a popular spot for luxury holidaymakers from around the world. This is helped by its attractive weather conditions, with temperatures of around 31C in March and April. 

However, a current outbreak of Chikungunya might put some travellers off visiting the East African country. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and causes severe pain, with symptoms including muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue and rashes. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to Americans heading to the Seychelles, citing an “outbreak” of the virus. It has issued a Level 2 travel warning, advising people to take enhanced precautions when visiting the country. 

The CDC recommends that tourists travelling to the Seychelles protect themselves by avoiding mosquito bites. This can be done by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors.

However, it cannot be passed from one person to the other. Most people who contract the virus make a full recovery, although muscle pain and fatigue can persist for months in some cases. 

It typically takes between four and eight days for symptoms to present after a person has been bitten by a mosquito. Fever and joint pain are usually the first symptoms to appear. 

According to the UK-based Travel Health Pro, there is a risk of contracting the virus in the Seychelles. “Between early December 2025 and 30 January 2026, GeoSentinel surveillance reported nine confirmed and four probable cases of chikungunya virus disease in European travellers returning from the Seychelles,” it warned.

Meanwhile, the Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON), which tracks global health outbreaks, said: “The clustering of cases among returning travellers strongly suggests an acute increase in chikungunya transmission in the Seychelles in recent weeks, making this a location where preventive measures for travellers are advisable. A nationwide rise in chikungunya cases since mid-December 2025 has also been recognised by the Seychelles Ministry of Health.”