Chikungunya Outbreak in Guangdong: Public Health Response and Risks

Public health officials in Guangdong province, China, are aggressively combating a significant chikungunya outbreak—the largest in the country’s history with over 8,000 infections. The mosquito-borne virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causes fever, rash, and severe joint pain that can persist for months or years.

Though rarely fatal and unable to spread through the air, the virus’s rapid spread is concerning due to the local population’s lack of immunity. Control efforts include insecticide spraying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. While two vaccines exist, they are not widely accessible, and treatment remains supportive, focusing on rest and symptom relief. Public health guidance emphasizes mosquito bite prevention and surveillance. Read more from NPR here.