A rare virus that causes intense joint pain and fever has struck a Hollywood actress.

Lindsay Lohan was confirmed by doctors to have contracted Chikungunya, a virus transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.  The actress contracted the virus during a trip to French Polynesia.

“Being sick is no fun. But happy new year everyone. Be safe. Love all,” the actress said on Twitter after telling her followers to always use bug spray when you are outside to avoid mosquito borne illnesses.

The disease is gaining attention according to the World Health Organization because it is spreading from Asia, Africa and India to the rest of the world.  The virus has been found in parts of Florida in recent years and officials are concerned it could spread in the U.S.

There have been over 4,000 cases of the virus in U.S. territories, mostly in Puerto Rico.  The only state that is considered to have “locally acquired” cases is Florida.   However, travel related cases have been reported in all states except Alaska, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

The CDC says that most Americans and people in North and South America have no immunity to the virus because it is new to the Western Hemisphere.