# Resurgent threat in a changing climate: A 20-year bibliometric analysis of global Chikungunya research evolution and pandemic preparedness

## TL;DR

Chikungunya virus is becoming a global threat due to climate change, and this study maps 20 years of research to highlight progress and gaps in pandemic preparedness.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global Chikungunya research, identifying evolving priorities and persistent gaps in pandemic preparedness.

## Key findings

- Annual publications increased 7-fold after 2013, peaking during major epidemics.
- Research priorities shifted toward vaccine development and climate-driven transmission.
- Collaboration networks are dominated by high-income countries, with limited equity in global efforts.

## Abstract

Driven by climate change and urbanization, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has evolved from being a localized pathogen to being a global pandemic threat. This bibliometric analysis maps 20 years (2004–2025) of global CHIKV research to identify priorities and gaps in pandemic preparedness.

We analyzed 8,125 publications from the Web of Science using bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer, examining output trends, collaboration networks, thematic evolution (keyword co-occurrence), and alignment with containment needs.

Annual publications surged 7-fold after 2013, peaking during epidemics (e.g., Caribbean 2013–2014, Réunion 2024). Research was dominated by the USA, Brazil, France, and India, which formed distinct regional hubs. Thematic clusters revealed rising priorities: vaccine development (proportional growth: +7.1% during 2020–2025; candidates such as VLA1553 emerged) and climate-driven transmission (“environmental health” became central after 2022). Persistent gaps included diagnostic overlap with dengue/Zika and reactive outbreak responses (emergency-focused keywords, e.g., “emergency response and crisis management”, declined from 15.5% to 7.2%). International collaborations favored high-income/endemic nations, with limited equity.

While CHIKV research increasingly addresses vaccines and climate drivers, critical weaknesses remain in terms of equitable collaboration, climate-adaptive surveillance, and integrated interventions. We advocate for predictive modeling, rapid-response vaccine platforms, and embedding CHIKV preparedness within climate-resilient health policies to transform reactive efforts into sustained pandemic resilience.

Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe joint pain and fever, has exploded from a regional concern into a global threat, fueled by climate change and urbanization. To understand how the world is preparing, we analyzed 20 years of global scientific research (2004–2025). Our findings reveal a research field intensely responsive to outbreaks, with publications surging 7-fold during major epidemics. The scientific focus has matured from simply describing outbreaks to proactively developing vaccines and understanding how climate change expands the range of mosquitoes. However, global research efforts are uneven. While the US, France, Brazil, and India have formed strong collaborative hubs, many affected regions, particularly in Africa, are left out. There are critical gaps in rapid outbreak response and equitable access to new tools, such as vaccines. This analysis provides a roadmap: To increase pandemic resilience, we must promote more equitable global partnerships, integrate climate predictions into health planning, and ensure that scientific advances are translated into real-world protection for vulnerable communities.