Shocking images and sweeping public health crackdowns are emerging from southern China as the country scrambles to contain a fast-moving outbreak of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus. Since July, Guangdong province has recorded over 7,000 confirmed cases, with nearly 3,000 of those coming in just the last week, per BBC.
The hardest-hit area is the city of Foshan, where patients are now being hospitalized and held until they either test negative or complete a week-long stay. Photos released by the local government in Foshan have revealed chilling visuals of patients suffering from the virus—some covered in blotchy red rashes across their bodies. The city is at the center of containment efforts that many are comparing to the early response to Covid.
The virus isn’t transmitted from person to person—it spreads through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. But the speed of transmission has alarmed both health officials and the public. “The local government has vowed to take ‘decisive and forceful measures’ in response to the outbreak,” and those measures are already in full swing.
Twelve cities across Guangdong have reported infections. And the virus has now crossed provincial borders – on August 4, Hong Kong confirmed its first case, involving a 12-year-old boy who had recently traveled to Foshan.
The boy developed fever, joint pain, and a rash. Though outbreaks are uncommon in China, Chikungunya is more frequently reported in parts of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and has since spread to more than 110 countries. Authorities in China are not taking any chances. In scenes reminiscent of the pandemic, sanitation teams have been spraying insecticide across public streets.
Residents showing signs of fever, joint pain, or rashes have been urged to seek immediate medical attention. Officials are also inspecting homes for standing water—everything from flowerpots to water bottles is being scrutinized. Fines for non-compliance can run up to 10,000 yuan (around $1,400).
To battle the mosquitoes at scale, China has gone high-tech and back to nature. Drones are patrolling cities from above to hunt for breeding grounds. Giant “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on other mosquitoes have been released. Roughly 5,000 mosquito-eating fish have been introduced into lakes around Foshan. Hospitals, meanwhile, are using mosquito nets to protect patients already infected with the virus.
But without a vaccine or antiviral treatment available, the only proven method to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. Repellents are strongly recommended.
Chikungunya typically takes between three and eight days to show symptoms after a bite, though this can vary. The illness is known for its sudden onset of high fever and intense joint pain. Other symptoms may include rash, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, swelling, and nausea. There is no cure for Chikungunya virus, but most people make a full recovery.
While deaths are rare, the virus can be especially dangerous for older adults, newborns, or people with existing health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. It’s not common for there to be serious complications, but the elderly may find that it contributes to their cause of death.
