Chikungunya fever is rapidly spreading, primarily in Guangdong Province, China. Since July, the cumulative number of cases has exceeded 7,000. Chikungunya fever is a febrile illness caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, with no suitable treatments or preventive vaccines available. Although the mortality rate is low and there are no signs of a pandemic, health authorities in various countries have issued travel warnings.
According to the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 12 cities in Guangdong Province have reported cases of Chikungunya fever. About 3,000 new cases were added last week alone. In Hong Kong, a 12-year-old boy who traveled to Foshan, Guangdong, was reported as the first case of infection. Foshan is the area with the highest number of infection cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Chikungunya fever is an infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms develop 4 to 8 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and include high fever, rash, and joint pain. Currently, there are no antiviral medications or preventive vaccines for Chikungunya fever.
Medical staff treat Chikungunya fever patients with antipyretics and analgesics. Most recover within a week, but some patients may experience pain for several months or even years. The mortality rate is less than 1%. There is no direct human-to-human transmission, and the only preventive measure is to avoid mosquito bites. Guangdong Province has started releasing fish into ponds and rivers to help eliminate mosquito larvae.
Chinese authorities stated that most of the reported cases so far have been mild, with 95% of patients discharged within 7 days. Nevertheless, posts expressing anxiety have been continuing on Chinese social media. In response to the growing number of infections, China has strengthened its disease prevention measures.
Confirmed cases are isolated in hospitals until they receive a negative test result or complete a week-long hospitalization period. Each patient receives treatment while protected by mosquito nets. Previously, health authorities in some cities required visitors to Foshan to undergo 14-day self-isolation, similar to the measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this requirement has now been lifted.
The WHO identified Southeast Asia, South Asia, and certain countries in Africa and Central and South America as areas with outbreaks of Chikungunya fever, noting that repetitive regional outbreaks have been reported. However, no global pandemic risk has been warned yet.
The WHO points to 'removal of stagnant water' as the best way to prevent the spread of Chikungunya. The WHO emphasized that 'there is no vaccine for Chikungunya fever, so preventing mosquito breeding is the only method of prevention,' and stressed the importance of regular environmental maintenance and hygiene management.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States also advised travelers to Guangdong Province to take special caution regarding the outbreak of Chikungunya. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has designated Guangdong Province, Indonesia, and the Philippines as quarantine management areas and has started intensified monitoring for incoming travelers.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the risk of domestic transmission of Chikungunya fever remains low. Since the first case was reported in 2013, a total of 71 cases have been reported by July of this year. All cases were infections acquired from abroad. As of July this year, one confirmed case has been reported.
The disease agency advised citizens traveling abroad during the summer to check for information on areas where infectious diseases are prevalent and to prepare mosquito repellent, light-colored long clothing, and mosquito nets to prevent mosquito bites. They recommended using repellent every 3 to 4 hours when outdoors and minimizing skin exposure.