The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel warning for the Guangdong Province in China, where a mosquito-borne illness called chikungunya has infected over 7,000 people since June 2025. The outbreak is linked to monsoon flooding that created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
The CDC emphasizes that vaccination is available and recommended for travelers. Experts advise taking precautions such as wearing long sleeves, pants, insect repellent with DEET, and using mosquito netting for babies too young for repellent.
Chikungunya has been around since the 1950s and is not common in the US, where there have been no locally acquired cases since 2019. The virus typically causes sudden-onset high fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and skin rash. Most people recover within seven to 10 days, but symptoms can persist for weeks or months.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya, and care focuses on relieving symptoms while the body recovers. Vaccines are available in the US, and the CDC recommends vaccination for travelers visiting areas with active outbreaks.
Climate change contributes to the spread of chikungunya, as warmer temperatures and increased rainfall help Aedes mosquitoes expand into new regions.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/chikungunya-virus-amid-new-outbreak-china/story?id=124410753