The Chikungunya Outbreak in China: What You Need to Know
SINGAPORE — A staggering 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have swept through China’s Guangdong province since July, triggering stringent measures reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amidst the outbreak, Foshan city bears the brunt of the virus, with chikungunya patients confined to hospital beds shielded by mosquito nets. They are only discharged after testing negative or completing a week-long stay.
Chikungunya, transmitted by mosquito bites, induces fever and intense joint pain that can persist for years, though it is rarely fatal.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about this disease:
While chikungunya outbreaks are uncommon in China, they are prevalent in South and South East Asia, as well as parts of Africa.
Symptoms typically manifest within three to seven days post-mosquito bite, including fever, joint pain, rash, headache, muscle pain, and swollen joints.
Most patients experience relief within a week, but severe cases may endure prolonged joint pain lasting months or years.
Vulnerable groups like newborns, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions face a higher risk of severe disease, although fatalities are rare.
Discovered in Tanzania in 1952, the virus has spread to over 110 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.
Prevention strategies advocated by the World Health Organization focus on eliminating stagnant water sources that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Aside from Foshan, a dozen other cities in Guangdong province have reported infections, with nearly 3,000 cases tallied in the past week alone.
Following Hong Kong’s first case—a 12-year-old boy who visited Foshan—the virus is not transmissible among humans and only spreads through mosquito bites.
Authorities reassure that all reported cases have been mild, with 95% of patients discharged within a week despite sparking some anxiety due to the virus’s unfamiliarity in the country.
Travellers to China are advised to exercise caution by US authorities in light of the outbreak.
With a commitment to halting the virus’s spread, Guangdong province officials are enforcing rigorous measures and urging symptomatic individuals to seek medical evaluation.
Residents are mandated to eradicate stagnant water in their dwellings to avoid fines up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and are deploying measures like releasing mosquito-eating fish and drones to identify breeding sites.
Though some cities initially imposed quarantines for travellers from Foshan, these restrictions have been lifted, prompting debate on the necessity of these preventive measures.
Comparisons have been drawn to pandemic-era restrictions, prompting questions on their efficacy and impact.
China’s history of stringent measures during the pandemic, including quarantine camps and neighborhood lockdowns, raise concerns over the necessity of current preventive actions. — BBC
