China is battling its largest ever chikungunya outbreak, which has infected over 7,000 people, mostly in the southern region of Guangdong. Authorities are using a range of measures to combat the spread of the disease, including spraying insecticide, deploying drones to find standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs, and enforcing strict quarantine protocols.
The virus, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, can cause severe symptoms such as fever and joint pain. This outbreak is notable because chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before, suggesting that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.
Heavy rainfall and high temperatures have worsened the crisis, prompting authorities to crack down on people who fail to empty standing water from outdoor receptacles. Those found guilty can face fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. The US has also issued a travel advisory warning Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the affected areas.
This is not China’s first experience with severe virus outbreaks; since the SARS outbreak in 2003, the country has implemented strict measures to combat viral diseases, including forced hospital stays and home quarantines during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government’s determination to eliminate the outbreak is evident in its adoption of new protocols at the national level.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/06/china-fights-mosquito-borne-chikungunya-virus-with-drones-fines-and-nets-00497010