Chikungunya virus spreads in China, cases hit 7,000

International

GUANGDONG, a province in China, is dealing with chikungunya outbreak with cases hitting more than 7,000 cases since July.

The province has enforced measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, a report by BBC said.

Chikungunya is transmitted through bites from an infected mosquito. An infected person experiences symptoms such as fever, rash, headache, and severe joint pains within 3-7 days after being bitten by a mosquito, but is not fatal.

Foshan, a city in the Guangdong province, has been affected the worst. Individuals infected with the virus are required to stay in the hospital for observations and will only be permitted to leave when they tested negative from the virus.

To help curb the spread of infected mosquitoes, the authorities of Guangdong province have started releasing giant “elephant mosquitoes” that can consume smaller chikungunya-spreading bugs and mosquito-eating fish.

Being the most affected city in Guangdong, Foshan has released almost 5,000 larva-eating fish, and a drone to monitor stagnant water within the city. Residents are instructed to remove stagnant water in their homes— a fine of 10,000 yuan will be issued once they get caught for disobeying the rule.

Despite having thousands of chikungunya cases, officials said 95% cases reported are still considered as mild. However, this virus isn’t common in the city, which has caused the people to panic.

Hong Kong has reported their first case after discovering a 12-year old boy who came from Foshan experienced symptoms of the said virus. (Theressa Faye Lacandazo, USC Comm Intern)