Chikungunya Cases in Southern China Lead to Local Transmission and Preventative Measures

In recent developments, several cities in southern China have reported cases of chikungunya that were imported and have subsequently resulted in local transmission. An official from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the outbreak is manageable, preventable, and treatable, highlighting that there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Symptoms associated with chikungunya include fever and severe joint pain, as noted by researcher Duan Leilei during a press conference.

Duan Leilei underscored the urgency for immediate mosquito control measures in the affected regions to reduce the density of mosquitoes. She encouraged the public to adopt personal protective strategies, such as wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and using mosquito repellent when outdoors. She also warned that anyone experiencing symptoms like high fever, intense joint pain, or rashes, especially if they have a history of mosquito bites or travel to impacted areas, should seek medical help without delay.

In Foshan city, located in Guangdong Province, there have been a total of 2,658 confirmed cases of chikungunya across four districts, all reported as mild. The Shunde district alone has recorded 2,471 cases. To manage the situation effectively, 53 hospitals in Foshan have been designated for treatment, with over 3,600 beds prepared for mosquito-proof isolation. Furthermore, 35 hospitals have been added to carry out chikungunya PCR testing. Those who test positive will receive treatment in hospital to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Currently, Foshan is at a critical juncture in its battle against the chikungunya outbreak, focusing on stopping community transmission and preventing the virus from expanding beyond its borders. Lu Hongzhou, head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, stated that the city’s priority includes rapid identification, diagnosis, and treatment of cases. Medical facilities are now required to report positive PCR results to the China CDC's online platform the same day, facilitating a swift review process.

In response to rising numbers of chikungunya cases in Foshan, health advisories have also been issued in cities such as Beijing and Shaoxing to mitigate the risk of the virus. The Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control has noted occasional imported cases in the city, indicating that the risk remains as international travel continues. Additionally, the World Health Organization issued a call for urgent action to avert the recurrence of chikungunya epidemics, following recent outbreaks particularly linked to the Indian Ocean region that have begun to spread to Europe and other parts of the world.