China’s mosquito offensive: what you need to know about chikungunya virus

Health officials in Guangdong, China, are mounting an aggressive mosquito-control campaign in Foshan after the country’s largest-ever chikungunya outbreak infected over 8,000 people in the past month. The mosquito-borne virus, which causes fever, rash, and often debilitating joint pain, is rarely fatal but can lead to chronic symptoms lasting months or years. Because the local population has no immunity and outbreaks are uncommon in China, measures include street and park fogging, door-to-door checks for stagnant water, and isolating infected individuals — though experts say some actions may be excessive.

Chikungunya is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and typically appears in tropical and subtropical regions; it has been reported in over 110 countries. No specific treatment exists beyond rest, hydration, and pain relief. Two licensed vaccines are available in some countries but not in China. This year, about 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been reported globally, mostly in South America. While Foshan’s outbreak appears to be plateauing, hot, humid weather and travel could allow it to spread beyond Guangdong.

Read more: NPR

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