Sindbis virus (SINV) is an enveloped RNA virus of the genus Alphavirus in the virus family Togaviridae. Sindbis virus is related to Chikungunya alphavirus. The clinical disease caused by SINV infection is known as Pogosta disease (Finland), Ockelbo disease (Sweden), and Karelian fever (Russia).

Sindbis virus is widely and continuously found in insects (the main vectors are Culex and Culiseta mosquitoes) and vertebrates in Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. However, clinical SINV infection in humans has almost exclusively been reported in Northern Europe where it is endemic and where large outbreaks occur intermittently. Cases are occasionally reported in Australia, China, and South Africa.

Read more about sindbis fever in the Factsheet for professionals.