Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2025. 10:38 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: China is grappling with a growing outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that has infected more than 7,000 people across Guangdong province since July, BBC reports.
The hardest-hit area is Foshan city, where patients are being hospitalized and kept under mosquito nets, with discharge permitted only after they test negative or complete a seven-day stay.
The virus, which causes fever and debilitating joint pain, has sparked concern among residents due to its unfamiliarity in the region.
Although chikungunya is rare in China, the virus is common in parts of South and Southeast Asia and Africa.
Infections have now been reported in at least 12 cities in Guangdong, with nearly 3,000 cases recorded just last week. Hong Kong also confirmed its first case on Monday: a 12-year-old boy who fell ill after traveling to Foshan.
While the virus is not contagious between humans, it spreads through mosquito bites, and health officials have assured the public that most cases so far have been mild, with 95% of patients recovering within a week.
To curb the spread, local authorities have launched aggressive public health measures reminiscent of China’s Covid-19 response.
These include deploying mosquito-eating fish, releasing large “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on virus-carrying species, and using drones to detect standing water.
Residents have been warned to eliminate stagnant water sources and could face fines of up to 10,000 yuan (about $1,400) for non-compliance. Some cities had even imposed brief travel restrictions on visitors from Foshan, which were later lifted.
The outbreak has sparked debate on Chinese social media, with users questioning the scale of the response.
While some praised the proactive measures, others compared them to the strict pandemic-era lockdowns.
The U.S. has since advised travelers to China to exercise increased caution. Health experts stress that while there is no cure for chikungunya, the best defense remains preventing mosquito breeding through environmental control.
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The post International News: China reports over 7,000 Chikungunya cases in Guangdong province appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2025. 10:38 am CST. By Zoila Palma: China is grappling with a growing outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that has infected
The post International News: China reports over 7,000 Chikungunya cases in Guangdong province appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
