[Chikungunya: a new epidemy for Europe. Is there a new vaccine coming soon?].

Chikungunya virus is known to cause large epidemics in Indian Ocean islands and countries, but it has recently been detected in autochthonous cases in Ravenna, Central Italy. After transmission through infected mosquitoes, an influenza like illness occurs. It is generally a benign disease and no specific therapy is available; the only prevention consists in avoiding mosquito bites. Due to the recent autochthonous transmission in an industrialized country the research for a sure and effective vaccine is restarting.