China is currently facing an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted illness, with thousands of cases reported in the southern regions. As of Friday, the number of chikungunya fever cases reached 4,014, marking a sharp increase since tracking began about two weeks ago. The city of Foshan in Guangdong province has been particularly hard-hit by the surge.
Sun Yang, deputy director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, described the outbreak as “quite severe” during a news briefing in Foshan on Wednesday.
Chikungunya spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes and typically causes fever and intense joint pain, although fatalities are rare, according to the World Health Organization.
In response to the outbreak, China’s CDC has issued various prevention guidelines to help reduce the spread of chikungunya and dengue fever, a similar mosquito-borne disease. Recommended measures include physical barriers such as window screens, mosquito nets for beds, and applying mosquito repellent on exposed skin. The agency noted that the current outbreak was “imported” but did not specify the source.
People exhibiting symptoms such as fever, rash, and joint pain are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
Foshan’s Shunde district, which accounts for about 90% of the reported cases, is known for its Cantonese cuisine and attracts many visitors annually. Photos broadcast by state media showed patients testing positive for chikungunya staying in hospital beds protected by mosquito nets.
Local reports on Thursday revealed that authorities nearly doubled the number of mosquito-proof isolation beds to 7,220 to address the rising demand.
Officials in Guangdong are urging residents to eliminate standing water in homes—such as in flowerpots, coffee machines, or spare bottles—to prevent mosquito breeding. The Foshan Health Commission warned that fines of up to 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400) could be imposed for violations.
Beijing’s CDC stated on Tuesday that the city occasionally detects imported cases of chikungunya fever.
Currently, two chikungunya vaccines have received regulatory approval in several countries or are recommended for at-risk populations, but these vaccines are not widely accessible or in common use, according to the WHO.
China experienced its first significant chikungunya outbreak in 2010 with 253 cases reported in Dongguan, a city near Foshan. Since then, sporadic cases have appeared but without widespread transmission. The country’s very first case was imported back in 1987, based on research and media reports.
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