Update 27 February 2026: 1150 people in Suriname have chikungunya

The chikungunya virus is spreading rapidly in Suriname. Since January 2026, 1,150 people have become ill. It is investigated whether a second person has died from the virus. This news was announced by the Surinamese Working Group Chikungunya Combating.

Advice for doctors

RIVM advises doctors to test people who come back from areas with outbreaks (such as Suriname) and who have symptoms such as high fever and joint pain for chikungunya.

Advice for travellers to countries with chikungunya

Are you in Suriname, Cuba or another country where there is a lot of chikungunya? Protect yourself from mosquito bites. 

• Wear clothing with long sleeves and long pants;
• Use mosquito cream with DEET on your skin;
• Even though the mosquitoes sting mainly during the day, use a mosquito net to sleep under to prevent bites at that time.
• Consider chikungunya vaccination if you are between 12 and 64 years old.

Do you get fever and joint pain after returning? Please contact your doctor.
 

Update 29 January 2026: Chikungunya outbreak in Suriname

Surinam has reported an outbreak of chikungunya, Several people have been diagnosed and one person has died from the disease. Chikungunya is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which primarily bite during the daytime. The disease has been detected more frequently in various countries in South and Central America in recent months.

Are you in Suriname or planning to go to Suriname? Protect yourself from mosquito bites:

• Wear long clothing with long sleeves and pants.
• Use mosquito repellent with DEET on your skin.
• sleep under a mosquito net to prevent bites at that time.

Are you feeling ill?

If you develop high fever and joint pain after traveling to Suriname, contact your (family) doctor.