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Arboviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile are global health issues of growing magnitude. Their dissemination in new areas is triggered by increased mobility of persons, animal reservoirs and vectors. This article describes virological, epidemiological and clinical aspects of Chikungunya, which causes sporadic cases or epidemics, sometimes massive, such as the one spreading in the Americas since December 2013. Chikungunya should be suspected in all travellers presenting with fever, arthralgia and sometimes a rash returning from an endemic area. In the absence of vaccine, individual protection relies on the prevention of mosquito bites.

Travels, migration and circulation of goods facilitate the emergence of new infectious diseases often unrecognized outside endemic areas. Most of emerging infections are of viral origin. Muscular Sarcocystis infection, an acute illness acquired during short trips to Malaysia, and Chagas disease, a chronic illness with long incubation period found among Latin American migrants, are two very different examples of emerging parasitic diseases. The former requires a preventive approach for travelers going to Malaysia and must be brought forth when they return with fever, myalgia and eosinophilia, while the latter requires a proactive attitude to screen Latin American migrant populations that may face difficulties in accessing care.