What Australians need to know about the virus on the rise in China that has sparked Covid-style lockdowns

Daily Mail​

7 days ago

A leading Australian doctor has downplayed concerns that a major virus outbreak in China could spark a global health crisis, but warned the real threat lies in how the Chinese Government handles the situation.
More than 7,000 cases of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya have been confirmed in southern China, with the majority found in the Shunde district of Foshan.
The outbreak began in late July, prompting authorities to impose Covid-style lockdowns in some affected areas. No deaths have been reported so far.
Dr Nick Coatsworth, one of Australia's most prominent medical experts, told 2GB's Ben Fordham that Australians shouldn't panic.
'I think China needs to be concerned but I don't think we need to share that concern in Australia,' he said.
Dr Coatsworth said the virus itself wasn't his main worry, but rather the Chinese Government's track record on transparency during potential pandemics.
'The thing I worry about is not the virus but I continue to worry about the transparency of the Chinese government if there is a new virus,' he said.
'Unfortunately, we saw no signs after the pandemic. We saw the Morrison government try very hard to get some insight into what actually happened at Wuhan and ultimately that failed.
'That the bigger issue for the world than this chikungunya virus at the moment.'
Australia has its own version of chikungunya, the Ross River virus.
While the virus cannot be transmitted directly from person to person, people can become infected when mosquitoes feed on an infected person and then bite someone else. If a pregnant woman is infected around the time of delivery, the baby can also be infected at birth, which often results in severe illness.
'I've seen cases of chikungunya in returned travellers to Australia so that's something we'd have to look out for,' Dr Coatsworth said.
'I don't think it's going to be something like Covid where it spreads around the world in a pandemic fashion.'
Though not usually fatal, chikungunya can cause a sudden onset of fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, fatigue and skin rashes. While most people recover within a week or two, joint pain can linger for months or even years.
In rare cases, chikungunya can progress to severe dengue-like illness, which may result in internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.
The virus has also been linked to eye, heart, and neurological complications.
Newborns, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions are at increased risk of severe illness, and there is also some evidence linking chikungunya infection to long-term health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
There is currently no cure or specific treatment for chikungunya, but symptoms can be managed with acetaminophen (paracetamol) and by staying hydrated.
Dr Coatsworth explained that the word 'chikungunya' literally means 'to double over or bend over' - a reference to the posture of sufferers due to intense joint pain.
'Some people can get some finny side-effects with their nerves and nervous system,' he added.
He said the biggest issue with it originating in China was that it's being transmitted in very densely populated areas that can make an epidemic very difficult to control.
There are currently two vaccinations which protect against the virus; IXCHIQ for those aged between 18 and 64 and Vimkunya for those 12 years and older.