| Chikungunya virus is an [[alphavirus]] with a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 11.6kb. It is a member of the Semliki Forest Virus complex and is closely related to Ross River Virus, O’Nyong Nyong virus and [[Semliki Forest Virus]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Powers|first=AM|coauthors=Brault, AC; Shirako, Y; Strauss, EG; Kang, W; Strauss, JH; Weaver, SC|title=Evolutionary relationships and systematics of the alphaviruses.|journal=Journal of Virology|date=Nov 2001|volume=75|issue=21|pages=10118–31|pmid=11581380|doi=10.1128/JVI.75.21.10118-10131.2001|pmc=114586}}</ref> In the United States it is classified as a Category C priority pathogen<ref>{{cite web|title=NIAID Category A, B, and C Priority Pathogens|url=http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/biodefenserelated/biodefense/pages/cata.aspx|accessdate=1 January 2014}}</ref> and work requires Biosafety Level III precautions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition|url=http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL5_sect_VIII_f.pdf|accessdate=1 January 2014}}</ref>
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| Human epithelial, endothelial, primary fibroblasts and monocyte-derived macrophages are permissive for chikungunya virus ''in vitro'' and viral replication is highly cytopathic but susceptible to type I and II interferon.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sourisseau|first=M|coauthors=Schilte, C; Casartelli, N; Trouillet, C; Guivel-Benhassine, F; Rudnicka, D; Sol-Foulon, N; Le Roux, K; Prevost, MC; Fsihi, H; Frenkiel, MP; Blanchet, F; Afonso, PV; Ceccaldi, PE; Ozden, S; Gessain, A; Schuffenecker, I; Verhasselt, B; Zamborlini, A; Saïb, A; Rey, FA; Arenzana-Seisdedos, F; Desprès, P; Michault, A; Albert, ML; Schwartz, O|title=Characterization of reemerging chikungunya virus.|journal=PLoS Pathogens|date=Jun 2007|volume=3|issue=6|pages=e89|pmid=17604450|doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.0030089|pmc=1904475}}</ref> ''In vivo'', chikungunya virus appears to replicate in fibroblasts, skeletal muscle progenitor cells and myofibers.<ref name="Ozden e527">{{cite journal|last=Schilte|first=C|coauthors=Couderc, T; Chretien, F; Sourisseau, M; Gangneux, N; Guivel-Benhassine, F; Kraxner, A; Tschopp, J; Higgs, S; Michault, A; Arenzana-Seisdedos, F; Colonna, M; Peduto, L; Schwartz, O; Lecuit, M; Albert, ML|title=Type I IFN controls chikungunya virus via its action on nonhematopoietic cells.|journal=The Journal of experimental medicine|date=Feb 15, 2010|volume=207|issue=2|pages=429–42|pmid=20123960|doi=10.1084/jem.20090851|pmc=2822618}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Rohatgi|first=A|coauthors=Corbo, JC; Monte, K; Higgs, S; Vanlandingham, DL; Kardon, G; Lenschow, DJ|title=Infection of myofibers contributes to the increased pathogenicity during infection with an epidemic strain of Chikungunya Virus.|journal=Journal of Virology|date=Dec 11, 2013|pmid=24335291|doi=10.1128/JVI.02716-13|volume=88|issue=5|pages=2414–25}}</ref>
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