Chikungunya (from the Makonde word for "To walk bent over") is a mosquito-borne disease which is common in Africa, Asia and South America but this past month there have been outbreaks in Italy (350 cases) and France (30).
The disease is characterized by fever, a rash and sometimes severe joint pain. The incubation period is typically 2-10 days. For most it lasts a few weeks but a sizeable minority develop chronic disease lasting months or years.
It is spread by the Aedes mosquito (which also transmit Zika, Dengue and Yellow Fever) and these are most active during the day. There is no vaccine so bite prevention is key - long clothing and repellent.