Southern China hit by chikungunya outbreak
China is experiencing an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne infection, with thousands of cases reported in the south.
Chikungunya fever cases jumped to 4,014 on Friday, representing a rapid rise in numbers since authorities started tracking cases two weeks ago, according to public records released by health departments in districts in Foshan. The city in China’s southern province Guangdong has been heavily impacted by the surge in infections.
The chikungunya outbreak remains “quite severe,” Sun Yang, deputy director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference on Wednesday in Foshan.
Chikungunya is spread to people by the bites of infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain, but deaths are rare, according to the World Health Organization.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued various advisories on how to prevent chikungunya fever and dengue fever, a similar disease also spread by mosquitoes. Physical protection barriers, such as screen doors, mosquito nets for beds and mosquito repellent on exposed skin, was recommended. It said that the epidemic was “imported” without specifying from where.
The Chinese agency also called for people who have symptoms like fever, rash and joint pain to see a doctor.
Shunde district in Foshan, where 90 percent of the cases are located, is famous for its Cantonese food, and sees many visitors each year.
Isolation beds doubled
Patients who tested positive for chikungunya fever stayed in hospital beds covered by mosquito nets, according to photos shown on state-run broadcaster CCTV.
Local media reports said on Thursday that local authorities had almost doubled the number of mosquito-proof isolation beds to 7,220 to meet the growing demand.
Authorities in Guangdong are urging residents to make sure there’s no standing water in their homes, such as in flowerpots, coffee machines or spare bottles. The Health Commission in Foshan stated on Thursday that a fine of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) could be applied if violations are found.
