A recent surge in cases of the chikungunya virus has broken out in southern China’s Guangdong province. The mosquito-borne disease causes severe joint pain, fever, and can persist for years or even be fatal in rare cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning three days ago, advising people to take precautions when visiting the area. Experts warn that chikungunya could spread further to the Americas and parts of Europe, despite being relatively rare in these regions.
To understand the virus, it’s essential to know its origins and transmission methods. Chikungunya was first identified in Africa in 1952 and is typically spread by two mosquito species: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Symptoms include joint pain, fevers, nausea, fatigue, and a rash, which usually resolve within a week or two but can persist for months.
However, the virus can cause serious heart damage and be fatal in rare cases, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and babies. According to experts, chikungunya is spread when an infected mosquito bites a person, leading to symptoms that can develop within three to seven days.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-you-worry-the-new-chikungunya-virus-outbreak-in-china-could-reach-the