Thousands of chikungunya cases reported in China due to spread of mosquito-transmitted virus
In the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, a significant and unprecedented outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne infection, is currently underway, particularly in Foshan and surrounding areas[1][2][5]. Over 8,000 confirmed cases have been reported, making it the largest documented chikungunya outbreak in China[1][2][5].
To combat the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have implemented stringent measures, reminiscent of COVID-19 containment efforts. These include:
- Quarantines and enforced hospitalizations for infected individuals[2].
- Household-level inspections and legal enforcement to eliminate mosquito breeding sites such as stagnant water in pots, cans, ditches, and pools[1][2].
- Use of drone-based fogging to kill mosquitoes in affected areas[1][5].
- Mandatory bed-netting for patients and fines for non-compliance with mosquito control measures[1][2].
- Public mobilization campaigns to encourage the population to remove mosquito breeding conditions[2].
Residents in Foshan have been urged to remove stagnant water from their homes to prevent mosquito breeding, with fines for non-compliance[4]. Thousands of mosquito-eating fish have been released into lakes and water bodies in Foshan to combat the outbreak[6].
The outbreak is complicated by environmental factors like the monsoon season, heavy rains, and typhoons which increase mosquito populations[2][3]. There is also concern about imported cases due to Guangdong’s status as a major international trade hub[2].
So far, all reported cases in China have been mild, with most patients recovering quickly[7]. However, the origin of the infection remains unspecified, with Chinese authorities stating that an "imported case triggered local transmission" in July[8].
In addition to these public health measures, vaccination is recommended for travelers to the region[3]. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers eliminating mosquito breeding grounds as the most effective method for controlling mosquito-borne diseases[9].
The chikungunya virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not contagious between people[10]. The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and has since spread to over 110 countries, particularly common in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region[11].
The outbreak has triggered concern due to its rapid spread, with nearly 3,000 cases reported in the last week[12]. As of 30 July, France (49) and Italy (two) have reported chikungunya cases[13]. In Italy, 57 new West Nile cases were reported in the last week of July, with a lethality rate of 20%[14]. A 93-year-old woman in Italy died from West Nile virus, bringing the national death toll to 10 this year[15].
Authorities in Guangdong have pledged to take "decisive and forceful measures" to prevent further spread of the virus[16]. Despite the challenges, the aggressive containment and control efforts offer hope for curbing the outbreak in the region.
[1] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142310/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-nearly-3000-cases-reported-last [2] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142413/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-authorities-take-covid-19 [3] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142329/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-travellers-urged-get-vaccinated [4] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142413/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-authorities-take-covid-19 [5] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142310/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-nearly-3000-cases-reported-last [6] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142413/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-authorities-take-covid-19 [7] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142329/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-travellers-urged-get-vaccinated [8] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142413/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-authorities-take-covid-19 [9] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/chikungunya-virus [10] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/chikungunya-virus [11] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/chikungunya-virus [12] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142310/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-nearly-3000-cases-reported-last [13] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142329/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-travellers-urged-get-vaccinated [14] https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3142466/italy-records-57-new-west-nile-cases-last-week-lethality-rate-20 [15] https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3142466/italy-records-57-new-west-nile-cases-last-week-lethality-rate-20 [16] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3142413/chikungunya-outbreak-guangdong-china-authorities-take-covid-19
- The current chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, a province in southern China, is causing concern as it's the largest documented case in China.
- Chinese authorities are implementing measures similar to COVID-19 containment to combat the spread of the virus.
- These measures include quarantines, hospitalizations, household-level inspections, drone-based fogging, and mandatory bed-netting.
- Residents are urged to remove stagnant water from their homes to prevent mosquito breeding, with fines for non-compliance.
- Thousands of mosquito-eating fish have been released into water bodies to combat the outbreak.
- The outbreak is complicated by environmental factors such as the monsoon season, heavy rains, and typhoons.
- Concerns also lie in imported cases due to Guangdong's status as an international trade hub.
- All reported cases in China have been mild, with most patients recovering quickly.
- The origin of the infection remains unspecified, with an "imported case triggering local transmission" in July.
- Vaccination is recommended for travelers to the region.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) considers eliminating mosquito breeding grounds as the most effective method for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
- The chikungunya virus is not contagious between people and was first identified in Tanzania in 1952.
- It has since spread to over 110 countries, particularly common in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
- The outbreak has triggered concern due to its rapid spread, with nearly 3,000 cases reported in the last week.
- France and Italy have reported chikungunya cases, and Italy has seen a rise in West Nile cases with a lethality rate of 20%.
- A 93-year-old woman in Italy died from West Nile virus, bringing the national death toll to 10 this year.
- Authorities in Guangdong have pledged to take "decisive and forceful measures" to prevent further spread of the virus.
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