Argentina Chikungunya Cases Surpass 1,500 in 2026

Argentina is currently experiencing a surge in chikungunya fever cases, with the national tally exceeding 1,500 confirmed and probable infections as of April 30, 2026. The increase has prompted a national health alert and intensified efforts to monitor and prevent further spread of the mosquito-borne virus.

As of April 30, 2026, Argentina has reported a total of 1,109 confirmed and probable cases of chikungunya fever, according to reporting from the Argentine Ministry of Health. Of these, 1,003 cases are considered autochthonous, meaning they were contracted within the country. An additional 106 cases are linked to recent travel to countries experiencing outbreaks, including Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Cuba.

During the week of April 15, 2026, an additional 272 new cases were reported, contributing to the growing national total. The majority – 93% – of cases are concentrated in the Northwest region of Argentina.

Geographic Distribution of Cases

The provinces most affected by the outbreak are located in the Northwest region:

• Salta Province: 644 cases
• Tucumán Province: 204 cases
• Jujuy Province: 101 cases
• Santiago del Estero Province: 63 cases
• Catamarca Province: 21 cases

Cases have also been reported in central Argentina, including 38 in Buenos Aires Province, 24 in Córdoba Province, and 8 in the City of Buenos Aires. Isolated cases have been identified in Entre Ríos (2), Santa Fe (1), San Luis (2), and Chaco (1).

Public Health Response

The Argentine Ministry of Health has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of strengthening epidemiological surveillance among healthcare teams. This includes increasing suspicion of chikungunya fever in patients presenting with nonspecific febrile syndromes, ensuring timely notification and investigation of cases, and following up with contacts.

The Ministry’s statement also highlights the need to raise public awareness about the importance of seeking medical attention early upon the appearance of compatible symptoms and to intensify preventive measures to reduce populations of the vector mosquito, particularly during the summer and early autumn months when mosquito abundance peaks.

Regional Context and Imported Cases

The rise in cases in Argentina is occurring within a broader context of increased chikungunya transmission throughout the Americas. Outbreaks have been reported in neighboring countries, particularly in Bolivia, where a sustained increase in cases has been recorded in border municipalities with frequent transit to northern Argentina.

The initial cases identified in Salta province did not have a history of travel, indicating local transmission. These cases emerged following the reporting of imported cases with a travel history to Bolivia, confirming the establishment of local transmission.

In Tucumán province, 23 confirmed cases without a travel history were identified as part of a surveillance strategy implemented in January 2026, which involves sampling at least 30% of suspected dengue cases that test negative for dengue via molecular biology.

During the last three weeks of April 2026, cases without a travel history were also reported in the jurisdictions of Jujuy, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero, Buenos Aires, and the City of Buenos Aires.

Symptoms reported by patients include fever, muscle pain (mialgias), headache, joint pain (polyarthralgias), and vomiting.