The postcard perfect beaches and granite peaks of Seychelles are sharing headlines this week with a very different story. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised a Level 2 travel health alert for the Indian Ocean archipelago because of an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito borne viral disease. The new notice urges travelers to take enhanced precautions and consider vaccination, even as flights, ferries, resorts and tours across the islands continue to operate normally and welcome visitors.
What the New CDC Alert Actually Means
The CDC now classifies Seychelles under a Level 2 advisory for chikungunya, a step above the routine guidance applied to most destinations. The update, posted on the agency’s Seychelles traveler information page in early February 2026, confirms that the country is experiencing an outbreak and advises all visitors to practice enhanced mosquito bite prevention. It also recommends chikungunya vaccination for travelers whose itineraries or health status may put them at greater risk.
Level 2 is not a call to cancel trips, and it falls short of the more severe Level 3 warnings in which health officials actively advise against non essential travel. Instead, the classification signals that a clearly identified health issue is present and that travelers should inform themselves, speak with their doctors before departure and pay close attention to protective measures once they arrive.
In practical terms, the alert means that travelers can still enjoy Seychelles’ beaches, marine parks and island hopping routes, but are strongly urged to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers when possible, choose screened or air conditioned accommodation and be aware of symptoms if they start feeling unwell. Pregnant travelers, people with weakened immune systems and those planning extended or more remote stays are advised to have particularly careful conversations with their healthcare providers.
Understanding Chikungunya and Its Symptoms
Chikungunya is a viral illness spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same daytime biting species that can transmit dengue and Zika. It is not spread person to person through casual contact, which means travelers are not at risk from social interaction, shared transport or typical resort life. Instead, the danger lies in being bitten by an infected mosquito, particularly during the hours around dawn and dusk, when these insects are most active.
The disease typically presents with an abrupt onset of high fever and intense joint pain, often described as debilitating or crippling. Other frequent symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, fatigue, nausea and a blotchy skin rash. According to current public health guidance, the incubation period is usually several days, with symptoms most often appearing three to seven days after an infectious bite. Most patients recover within a week, but joint pain and stiffness can persist for months, and in some cases years, especially in older adults or those with underlying joint disease.
While deaths from chikungunya are rare, health agencies emphasize that severe disease can occur in newborns infected during childbirth, in older adults and in people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or compromised immune systems. Because there is no specific antiviral treatment, care focuses on rest, hydration and medications to reduce fever and pain. This makes prevention through mosquito control and personal protection the critical line of defense for travelers and residents alike.
Why Seychelles Is on the Radar Now
Seychelles’ inclusion on the CDC list reflects a wider resurgence of chikungunya around parts of the Indian Ocean and other tropical regions. Neighboring islands such as La Réunion and Mayotte have faced substantial outbreaks since 2024, with health authorities and the World Health Organization documenting tens of thousands of cases and warning that warmer temperatures, heavy rains and changing weather patterns are creating more favorable breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes across the region.
Within Seychelles, the current outbreak has triggered an official travel health notice, but it comes against the backdrop of long term work to strengthen the archipelago’s defenses against vector borne diseases. In late 2025, the Ministry of Health validated a national strategic plan running through 2030 that focuses on tropical and mosquito transmitted illnesses, including dengue, leptospirosis, Zika and chikungunya. Supported by the World Health Organization’s Africa office, the plan emphasizes surveillance, rapid response and coordinated environmental management to limit mosquito breeding.
The new CDC alert does not suggest that Seychelles has lost control of the situation. Instead, it recognizes that cases have reached levels that warrant formal notification to international travelers. With tourism a mainstay of the economy and a driver of employment across the islands, authorities are moving to balance vigorous disease control with the need to keep the destination functioning smoothly and safely for visitors.
How Local Authorities and Tourism Operators Are Responding
Health and tourism officials in Seychelles have been working in lockstep since the outbreak was confirmed, aiming to protect both the local population and the more than 350,000 international visitors who arrive in a typical year. Measures already in place include intensified mosquito control operations, such as targeted spraying in affected neighborhoods, larvicide treatment in standing water and public campaigns encouraging households and businesses to eliminate breeding sites like uncovered water containers and clogged gutters.
For travelers, many of the most visible steps are taking place within the tourism sector itself. Hotels and guesthouses are stepping up grounds maintenance to remove stagnant water, improving drainage around properties and checking that window and door screens are intact. Beach resorts are increasing the availability of repellents in rooms and common areas, scheduling housekeeping to ensure air conditioning systems are functioning reliably and, in some cases, providing guidance sheets at check in that outline best practices for bite prevention.
Tour and excursion operators, from dive centers to hiking guides, have also begun updating briefings to include health information alongside the usual safety and environmental notes. Visitors heading into forested areas or mangrove ecosystems are being reminded to wear long clothing, apply repellent before departure and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating. On inter island ferries and domestic flights, public announcements and posters reiterate the same core messages without dampening the holiday atmosphere that Seychelles is known for.
Travelers’ Risk: Who Should Be Most Cautious
For most healthy adults and children, the risk of serious complications from chikungunya remains low, though no traveler should underestimate the misery of a week of high fever and severe joint pain. The CDC and other health agencies highlight three groups who should take particular care when considering a trip to Seychelles during the current outbreak period: pregnant travelers, newborns and infants, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Pregnant travelers are advised to think carefully about the timing of their visit and to consult their prenatal care providers in advance. Infection close to the time of delivery can, in rare cases, lead to severe illness in newborns, and for this reason some health authorities suggest postponing travel for those in the final weeks of pregnancy. Families traveling with very young babies also face heightened concerns because infants are more vulnerable to dehydration and complications from fever, and they cannot use some repellents or medications safely.
Travelers living with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or conditions that weaken the immune system should discuss their plans with a clinician who understands their medical history. These visitors may want to consider the newly available chikungunya vaccine, where appropriate, alongside strict adherence to mosquito avoidance measures. A frank conversation about the balance of risks and benefits, including the mental and emotional value of travel, is essential in tailoring decisions to individual circumstances.
The Role of the New Chikungunya Vaccine
Until very recently, chikungunya prevention relied entirely on mosquito control and personal protection, but that landscape changed with the arrival of the first licensed vaccine against the virus. Health authorities in several countries now recommend vaccination for people who are at increased risk of exposure or of severe disease, including travelers heading to destinations experiencing sustained outbreaks such as Seychelles.
The CDC advises that potential travelers speak with their doctors or visit a travel clinic several weeks before departure to determine whether they are good candidates for the shot. Factors to consider include age, pregnancy status, underlying health conditions, the length and style of the trip and whether the itinerary includes rural or peri urban areas where mosquito densities may be higher. Because supplies can vary and some clinics may not routinely stock newer travel vaccines, arranging vaccination may require advance planning.
Even for those who receive the injection, public health specialists emphasize that vaccination is not a substitute for careful mosquito protection. Repellent, clothing choices and accommodation standards continue to play a vital role in reducing the chance of any mosquito borne infection, including dengue, which can circulate in similar environments. Travelers who are vaccinated but still develop fever and joint pain after a trip should seek medical attention and inform their providers about their recent travel history and vaccination status.
Practical Advice for Visiting Seychelles Safely
For travelers with upcoming trips to Seychelles, the new health alert may cause understandable concern, but it does not mean that holidays must be canceled across the board. Instead, it invites a more mindful approach to planning and behavior on the ground. Before leaving home, visitors should schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional experienced in travel medicine, verify their routine vaccines, discuss hepatitis A and other recommended shots, and explore the possibility of chikungunya vaccination if they fall into a higher risk category.
Packing should reflect a heightened focus on protection. Lightweight long sleeved shirts, long trousers and socks in breathable fabrics allow travelers to cover up during peak mosquito hours without overheating. Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus should be brought from home in case local supplies are limited or more expensive. Travelers booking accommodation can prioritize properties with reliable air conditioning or effective screening, and may wish to check in advance whether mosquito nets are available, particularly in smaller guesthouses or self catering rentals.
Once in Seychelles, simple habits can significantly reduce risk. Applying repellent in the morning and reapplying in the late afternoon or early evening, using it after swimming, keeping balcony doors closed in the early hours and using fans or air conditioning at night all make a difference. Travelers can also contribute to community efforts by ensuring that any outdoor containers at villas or rental homes are emptied of standing water, and by following local advice regarding specific neighborhoods or times of day to be extra cautious.
The Bigger Picture: Climate, Islands and Future Travel
The chikungunya alert in Seychelles is part of a broader story about climate, mobility and health in island destinations. Warmer temperatures, erratic rainfall and more intense storms are expanding the geographic reach and seasonal window of disease carrying mosquitoes worldwide. In the southwest Indian Ocean, tropical cyclones and heavy rains have in recent years left pools and flooded landscapes that serve as prime breeding grounds. At the same time, international travel rebounds and growing visitor numbers increase the speed at which viruses can be introduced, detected and spread.
For Seychelles, tourism is deeply woven into national life and the economy, and the government has strong incentives to keep the destination safe and resilient. The newly validated strategy on vector borne and neglected tropical diseases, developed with international partners, underlines a recognition that outbreaks like chikungunya will remain a recurring challenge that must be managed rather than a temporary anomaly. Investments in surveillance systems, laboratory capacity and community education are all part of building that resilience.
For travelers and the industry that serves them, this moment is less about abandoning tropical travel and more about adapting intelligently. As health advisories shift more frequently in an era of emerging infections and climate disruption, consulting reputable health guidance before booking, allowing room in budgets and itineraries for vaccines or protective gear, and staying informed throughout a trip will increasingly become the norm. Seychelles’ current chikungunya alert offers a vivid example of how a beloved island destination can continue to function, welcome guests and share its natural beauty, even while taking a serious, science based approach to keeping both visitors and residents safe.