China is battling an outbreak of the chikungunya virus, which has infected over 8,000 people in the southern province of Guangdong. The disease, spread through mosquito bites, causes fever, rash, and joint pain.
Health officials are taking drastic measures to control the spread, including fogging streets and parks with insecticide and distributing mosquito repellents door-to-door. Some residents are also being forced to isolate themselves if they test positive for the virus.
While chikungunya is rarely fatal, it can cause debilitating joint pain that persists for weeks or months. There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines available in China, although two licensed vaccines are available in some countries.
The outbreak is not unusual for tropical and subtropical regions, which have seen a growing number of cases since 2004 due to climate change and increased global travel. In comparison, the current outbreak in Guangdong is relatively small compared to other areas, such as South America.
Despite declining confirmed cases in Foshan, health officials warn that the disease can spread quickly in dense urban areas where mosquitoes thrive. The situation remains uncertain, with hot weather conditions and travel potentially contributing to further spread.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/08/08/g-s1-81670/china-chikungunya-virus-mosquitoes