Home / Health / Chikungunya Outbreak Sweeps Southern China, Thousands Infected

Chikungunya Outbreak Sweeps Southern China, Thousands Infected

Summary

  • Thousands of chikungunya cases reported in Foshan, China in just 2 weeks
  • Health officials describe outbreak as "quite severe"
  • Chinese CDC issues advisories to prevent chikungunya and dengue fever
Chikungunya Outbreak Sweeps Southern China, Thousands Infected

A severe outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness, is currently raging through southern China. In just the past two weeks, the city of Foshan in Guangdong province has reported a staggering 4,014 cases of chikungunya fever, marking a rapid escalation since authorities began tracking the infection.

Health officials have described the outbreak as "quite severe." In response, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued advisories urging the public to take preventive measures against both chikungunya and dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease. Recommendations include using physical barriers like screen doors and mosquito nets, as well as applying repellent to exposed skin.

Local authorities in Foshan have also nearly doubled the number of mosquito-proof isolation beds to 7,220 to accommodate the growing number of patients. The outbreak is centered in Shunde district, a popular tourist destination known for its Cantonese cuisine. China has seen sporadic chikungunya cases since its first imported case in 1987, but this current surge marks a significant and concerning development.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

FAQ

The chikungunya outbreak in southern China, particularly in the city of Foshan, has escalated rapidly, with over 4,000 cases reported in just the past two weeks.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued advisories urging the public to take preventive measures, such as using physical barriers and applying mosquito repellent. Local authorities in Foshan have also increased the number of mosquito-proof isolation beds to accommodate the growing number of patients.
China had its first chikungunya spike in 2010 with 253 cases in Dongguan, a nearby city in Guangdong province. Since then, several sporadic cases have been found, but the current outbreak is the most severe the country has experienced.

Read more news on