Chinese officials have imposed Covid-like quarantines in parts of the country as cases of chikungunya virus continue to surge, reports Daily Mail.
More than 7 000 infections have been reported in the southern city of Foshan, in Guangdong province, prompting authorities to isolate patients in hospital wards covered with mosquito nets.
They are required to remain there for a week or until they test negative, whichever is soonest.
No deaths have yet been reported.
Chinese state television has shown workers spraying clouds of disinfectant around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with virus-bearing mosquitos that are born in standing water, reports AP.
Workers are also spraying some places before entering office buildings, a throwback to China’s controversial hard-line tactics used to battle the Covid-19 virus, while people who do not empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles that might collect standing water can be subject to fines of up to $1 400 and have their electricity cut off.
Heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, which is generally common in tropical areas but came on unusually strong this year.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong, urging travellers to take extra precautions when visiting the region, and to wear insect repellent, cover up with long clothing, and stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodation to avoid mosquito bites.
At least 12 other cities in Guangdong have reported infections, with about 3 000 cases being reported over the past week, bringing the total to more than 10 000 in the country.
Those experiencing fevers, joint pain or rashes are being asked to visit the nearest hospital so they can be tested for the virus.
Officials had briefly ordered travellers from Foshan to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, similar to Covid restrictions, but that has since been withdrawn.
Chikungunya can only be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, and reports have emerged of attempts to stop the virus spread with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitos to eat the insects carrying the virus.
Meetings have been held and protocols adopted at national level in a sign of China’s determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism.
Across borders
Hong Kong confirmed its first case of the virus this week in a 12-year-old boy who developed a fever, rash and joint pain after visiting Foshan in July.
Chikungunya is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes – the same species that carry dengue and Zika. It is rarely fatal but can cause debilitating symptoms.
While chikungunya infections are most common in Asia, Africa and South America, more recently, cases have also emerged across Europe and the United States.
Nearly half a million people were infected during a major outbreak in 2004-2005, which spread across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
The virus can cause fever, joint pain and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain.
In late 2023, the FDA approved a vaccine called IXCHIQ for adults aged 18 and older, and in February 2025, a second vaccine, VIMKUNYA, approved for people aged 12 and up, was licensed.
Both vaccines are non-routine and recommended only for travellers heading to outbreak areas or for laboratory workers at risk.
A global spike in cases began early this year, with major outbreaks reported in the Indian Ocean islands of La Réunion, Mayotte and Mauritius.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said around 240 000 chikungunya cases and 90 related deaths have been recorded in 16 countries so far this year – as of 4 August.
The virus has also spread to Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya and India, and is making its way to Europe. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati.
As of 5 August, the CDC reports 46 cases of chikungunya infection in the US this year, all contracted by travellers returning from high-risk areas.
The acute phase of illness typically resolves within one to two weeks, but joint pain may linger for weeks, months or even years in some cases.
Newborns, seniors over 65, and people with underlying health issues face a higher risk of developing serious outcomes, including cardiovascular problems and, according to some studies, even type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure triggered by post-viral inflammation.
There is no antiviral treatment for chikungunya, but symptoms can be managed with rest, plenty of fluids, and pain relief.
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