What we know about the chikungunya virus as cases spread in China
More than 7,000 cases of chikungunya have been reported in China's Guangdong province since July.
Authorities in the region have since enforced restrictions not too dissimilar to those taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, infected patients are being quarantined and can only be discharged once they test negative.
More drastic measures taken include masked soldiers spraying insecticides on plants, parks and in streets, and the introduction of more than 5,000 larvae-eating fish. Also in the city of Foshan, not only have authorities brought in a mandatory name registration for medication, they have implemented fines and penalties for those who ignore the rules.
Outbreaks of the virus, which is spread to people by infected mosquitoes, have previously occurred in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe, as well as islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
What is chikungunya and how is it spread?
Chikungunya is a virus transmitted by female mosquitoes, most commonly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species.
It is passed to humans through bites, primarily during daylight hours, and to other mosquitoes if they then bite an infected human.
The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to wear clothing that minimises skin exposure, shut windows, doors and screens to stop them from entering the home, and use repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin.
Insecticide-treated mosquito nets can also be used to prevent these day-biting mosquitoes from affecting day sleepers.
Authorities, as those in China are currently doing, typically also use insecticides to kill mosquitoes.
Chikungunya in the UK
According to Prof Will Irving, emeritus professor of virology at University of Nottingham, there is "no risk of contracting chikungunya in the UK at present".
Speaking to Science Media Centre, he added: "The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are not established in the UK, although they are found in parts of southern Europe. Occasionally, imported cases are diagnosed in returning travellers, but these do not lead to local transmission."
The government's website updated its chikungunya page in June, stating that there have been a "small number of cases" reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland each year. "Most have been acquired in South Asia and South East Asia," the article reads.
Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel health at UKHSA, told Yahoo UK: "There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK. This unpleasant mosquito-borne disease is rarely fatal but can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within one to two weeks, though joint pain may last for months or longer.
"It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad. Simply steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed neds, can effectively reduce the risk. Before you travel, cehck the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may alos be considered for those travelling to higher risk regions."
How is chikungunya tested for?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), chikungunya virus may be detected directly in blood samples collected during the first week of illness.
Other tests can detect a person's immune response to the virus. These are typically used after the first week of infection to test for antibodies to the virus. The antibody levels are typically detectable by the first week after illness onset and can still be detected for about two months.
In order to curb the spread, infected persons should quarantine in the first week of illness.
What are the signs and symptoms?
According to the WHO, the symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those caused by Zika virus and include:
fever
severe joint pain
joint swelling
muscle pain
headaches
nausea
fatigue
rash
Severe symptoms and deaths caused by chikungunya are rare and mostly affect young babies, elderly people and those with underlying health issues.
Is there a treatment for chikungunya?
There are currently two vaccines for chikungunya, per the WHO. However, they are not widely available.
For pain relief and to help manage symptoms of fever, it is recommended that infected peoples take paracetamol or acetaminophen.
Read more about chikungunya and COVID:
Drones, fines and elephant mosquitoes: How China is fighting the Chikungunya virus outbreak after nearly 8,000 cases (Independent, 4-min read)
What are the symptoms of the new Stratus COVID variant? (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
What are the symptoms of the Nimbus COVID variant? (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
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