Chikungunya, a virus that often causes fever and joint pain, has been spreading rapidly in southern China. According to Chinese authorities, there have been over 7,000 cases of the disease reported so far, mostly in the city of Foshan.
The chikungunya virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and typically produces symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, and a rash. However, in rare cases, it can cause debilitating joint pain that persists for months or even years.
There is currently no specific treatment for chikungunya, but health workers can treat the symptoms with medicines to lower fevers or ease muscle pain. Two vaccines have been approved in several regions, including Britain, Brazil, Canada, and Europe, but they are not widely available in countries most affected by the disease.
Chikungunya causes regular outbreaks in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with occasional small epidemics in Europe. The virus has never been established in mainland China before, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly among a population with no preexisting immunity.
To combat the outbreak, Chinese authorities are taking measures such as distributing mosquito nets, having workers spray residential areas, streets, and construction sites with insecticide, and imposing fines on people who do not empty outdoor receptacles that allow mosquitoes to breed. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China.
The number of chikungunya outbreaks has increased since 2000, coinciding with an increase in other mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue and Zika. Climate change and urban expansion are seen as major factors contributing to the rise in chikungunya epidemics, warning that the current outbreak could spread to other parts of southern China with humid climates and dense cities.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/china-mosquitoes-chikungunya-explainer-050e53750c8c041fc72b7cf62c01b92f