The world’s first chikungunya vaccine has been approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration.

According to BBC News, the FDA sees the mosquito-borne illness as an “emerging global health threat” which has seen 350 deaths for the year, as of September.

The FDA’s approval is expected to speed up the global rollout for the vaccine.

BBC News reports that South America and South Asia have seen the most cases this year.

The vaccine named Ixchiq has been approved for those aged 18 and above and are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Chikungunya causes fever and joint pains and can be fatal to newborns.