**New York Reports First Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case Since 2019** NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Health has confirmed a locally acquired case of chikungunya virus on Long Island. This marks the first instance of the virus being transmitted locally in New York and the first such case reported in the United States since 2019. Health officials confirmed the case through laboratory testing at the Wadsworth Center, identifying it in Nassau County. An investigation indicates that the individual likely contracted the virus from a mosquito bite. However, the exact source of exposure remains unclear. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne illness primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. The virus is not transmitted directly from person to person, and health authorities have assessed the public risk as low. Most patients recover within a week, although some may experience ongoing joint pain. "People at higher risk for severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, adults aged 65 and older, and individuals with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease," the New York State Department of Health stated. The Aedes albopictus mosquito, known to carry chikungunya, is present in parts of downstate New York. Local transmission can occur when an infected mosquito bites a traveler who has contracted the virus elsewhere. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald noted, "Our Wadsworth Center has confirmed this test result, which is the first known case of locally acquired chikungunya in New York State. Given the much colder nighttime temperatures, the current risk in New York is very low." Officials urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites. In 2025, three additional chikungunya cases were reported outside New York City, all linked to international travel to areas with active chikungunya infections. Routine mosquito testing by the Wadsworth Center and the New York City Department of Health has not detected the chikungunya virus in any local mosquito samples. To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, health officials recommend using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, eliminating standing water around homes, and repairing screens on windows and doors. The chikungunya virus has not been locally acquired in the U.S. since 2019, highlighting the significance of this recent case in New York.