Mosquitoes wreak havoc in China as authorities adopt COVID pandemic methods to tackle virus outbreak
chikungunya
, a painful, mosquito-borne viral disease that could spread across the country. Soldiers wearing masks are fogging parks and streets with insecticide. Drones have been deployed to identify mosquito breeding sites. Researchers have introduced giant "
elephant mosquitoes
," whose larvae prey on the virus-carrying
mosquitoes
, and thousands of mosquito-eating fish have been released into city ponds.
A virus transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes, chikungunya is rarely fatal, but it does cause fever and severe joint pain. It has infected about 8,000 people in China in four weeks, mostly in Foshan, and is the country's largest outbreak of its kind since the virus first emerged in the country in 2008. Experts say rising global temperatures have led to warmer and wetter weather there, allowing mosquitoes to thrive.
Productivity Tool
Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide
By Metla Sudha Sekhar
View Program
Finance
Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory
By Dinesh Nagpal
View Program
Finance
Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code
By CA Rahul Gupta
View Program
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel
By Neil Patel
View Program
Finance
Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading
By Kunal Patel
View Program
Productivity Tool
Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide
By Study at home
View Program
Artificial Intelligence
AI For Business Professionals Batch 2
By Ansh Mehra
View Program
To fight the outbreak, authorities are also drawing on a familiar playbook honed during the
COVID pandemic
-- mobilizing the city of 10 million in a "patriotic public health campaign." For some, that is evoking unhappy memories.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Dog licks arent kisses. Heres what your dog really means when it licks you.
Cleverst
Undo
At building entrances in the city, workers spray residents with mosquito repellent before allowing them in. Community workers in red vests go door to door, inspecting homes and ordering residents to dump any stagnant water. Those who don't cooperate could be fined or, in serious cases, face criminal charges for "obstructing the prevention of infectious diseases," according to an illustrated government explainer.
At least five households have had their electricity cut for not cooperating, according to a notice issued by a neighborhood committee in the district of Guicheng.
Live Events
When COVID-19 spread in China, the country imposed some of the world's strictest measures -- the much-hated zero
COVID
policy that involved mass testing, citywide lockdowns, mandatory quarantines and the constant tracking of people's movements.
On RedNote, a popular social media platform, residents say they are being ordered by community workers to empty all containers of water, including water bowls for their dogs. Some complained that the policing was excessive.
In Foshan and other cities in Guangdong province, just north of Hong Kong, infected residents are being sent to "quarantine wards" where they stay behind mosquito nets and screens. Some who had been infected said they were given no choice but to go to the hospital at their own expense. (During an outbreak, mosquitoes can quickly spread the virus, picking it up from a sick person and infecting healthy others.)
Carried by the Aedes mosquito, which also transmits dengue and Zika, the chikungunya virus was first detected in southern Tanzania in the 1950s. (Its name comes from the Kimakonde language and means "that which bends up," a reference to the contorted posture of those in pain.)
After an imported case of chikungunya was detected in Foshan on July 8, infections quickly spread. Now, citizens have been urged to spend at least three minutes every morning cleaning out all sources of standing water. Employees at government agencies should not go home until they have thoroughly checked plant holders, tea trays, unfinished drinks and roof awnings for water.
To breed, mosquitoes "don't actually need a lot of water or even a lake. They can spread and reproduce in even the smallest pool of water, like a Coke bottle cap," said Ren Chao, a professor at the University of Hong Kong researching the impact of climate change on the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in urban areas.
The most extreme steps, such as mandatory quarantine for those infected, have not been implemented, but experts say China's pandemic measures are designed to be ratcheted up quickly if deemed necessary.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Chikungunya virus and how is it transmitted?
A1: Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. These mosquitoes typically bite during the daytime, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon. The virus is not spread from person to person, but outbreaks can occur quickly in communities where the mosquito vectors are present. Chikungunya is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, but cases have also been reported in temperate areas due to increased global travel and climate change.
Q2. What are the symptoms of Chikungunya and how is it treated?
A2. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya virus infection appear 3–7 days after being bitten and include: Fever (often sudden and high), Severe joint pain, especially in hands, wrists, and ankles, Headache, Muscle pain, Fatigue, and Skin rash.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
THIS tea can 'clean' the brain and prevent Alzheimer's
A new study reveals that a combination of nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate, found in green tea, can rejuvenate aging brain cells. The treatment restores energy levels and clears harmful protein buildup linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers observed improved brain cell function and reduced oxidative stress in treated neurons, offering a potential nonpharmaceutical approach to cognitive decline. Imagine decluttering your brain. Tidying it a bit to get rid of things that are damaging your brain. Is it even possible? Well, yes! You can tidy up your brain and even manage progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Wondering how? With the help of a tea! Yes, that's right! A new study has found that a combination of natural compounds will help in brain cleaning. A recent study by researchers at the University of California found that a combination of natural compounds, of which one is found in a tea, restored energy levels in aging brain cells and also cleared harmful protein buildup linked with Alzheimer's disease. The findings are published in the journal GeroScience . Cleaning the brain The new study found that a combination of naturally occurring compounds, nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and epigallocatechin gallate (a green tea antioxidant), can restore the levels of guanosine triphosphate, an essential energy molecule in brain cells. This treatment will remove harmful protein buildup linked with Alzheimer's disease. They added that this promising nonpharmaceutical treatment also rejuvenates aging brain cells. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Biggest Real Estate Discounts Ever at M3M India. Enquire Now! M3M India Book Now Undo They tested the treatment on neurons in a dish and found that it improved the brain cells' ability to clear damaging amyloid protein aggregates linked to Alzheimer's. 'As people age, their brains show a decline in neuronal energy levels, which limits the ability to remove unwanted proteins and damaged components. We found that restoring energy levels helps neurons regain this critical cleanup function,' lead author Gregory Brewer, adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at UC Irvine, said in a statement. Researchers tracked energy molecule levels in brain cells from aged Alzheimer's model mice using a genetically coded fluorescent sensor called GEVAL. They found the free GTP (guanosine triphosphate) levels reduced with age, especially in mitochondria, leading to impaired autophagy, the process by which cells eliminate damaged components. But when they treated the neurons for just 24 hours with nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate, the GTP levels came back to normal. This process improved energy metabolism; activation of key GTPases involved in cellular trafficking, Rab7 and Arl8b; and efficient clearance of amyloid beta aggregates. Oxidative stress, which is another major contributor to neurodegeneration, also went downhill. 'This study highlights GTP as a previously underappreciated energy source driving vital brain functions. By supplementing the brain's energy systems with compounds that are already available as dietary supplements, we may have a new path toward treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease,' Brewer said. 'More work is going to be required to find the best way to administer this treatment, since a recent clinical trial involving UC Irvine researchers showed that oral nicotinamide was not very effective because of inactivation in the bloodstream,' he cautioned.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
7 science-backed health benefits of Moringa you should know
Image credits: Getty Images Nature, verified by science for human health, can do miracles, as the two have been partnering with each other for years. One such natural element that even science attests is effective for health is Moringa. Also known as Miracle tree, the plant is a short-lived, fast-growing tree widely cultivated in India and parts of Asia, Africa and Central and South America. In the form of fresh leaves, powder, capsules and oil, moringa is used as a medicinal herb by people across the world. From anti-oxidant properties to liver protection, below are 7 science-backed health benefits of consuming Moringa. Nutrient powerhouse Image credits: Getty Images Moringa is described as a "superfood" due to its high quantity of vitamins and minerals. Its leaves have 18.9 mg Vitamin A per 100 g, it has seven times more Vitamin C than oranges and has 17.3 mg of the nutrient per 100 g, 20.5 mg Vitamin B per 100 g, 28.2 mg iron per 100 g, 2,003 mg calcium per 100 g, 204 mg potassium per 100 g, 368 mg magnesium per 100 g and 3.29 mg zinc per 100 mg, according to a review article published in the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity The presence of bioactive compounds such as glycosylates, flavonoids, isothiocyanates and thiocarbamates makes Moringa a highly effective antioxidant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Additionally, its parts such as leaf, pods, flowers and roots have active compounds such as tannins, phenols, flavonoids, vanillin and moringin, known to have anti-inflammatory properties, as per the National Library of Medicine. Both of these help neutralise free radicals, reduce cellular damage and lower chronic inflammation. Lowering blood glucose levels Image credits: Getty Images Moringa leaves proved to have excellent results in the glucose tolerance of Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki rats. The aqueous extract in it has anti-diabetic effects that control blood glucose levels, protein, sugar and haemoglobin. Its leaves are known to lower glucose levels within three hours of intake. Improves heart health The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Moringa have cardioprotective effects. It improves levels of enzymes such as SOD, catalase and more. In hypertensive rats, the leaves of the plant lowered cholesterol levels as well. Liver-protective effects Image credits: Getty Images Quercetin in the flowers of the plants is known to have protective effects on the liver. The methanolic extract also presented changes in hepato-renal and haematological profiles. Consuming moringa extract for 21 days regularly was proven to significantly reduce liver injury due to various flavonoids present in it. Weight loss In a study, eating moringa leaf powder for 49 days significantly reduced body mass index in rats suffering from hypercholesterolemia. This was because the powder reduced the expression of hormones such as resistin and leptin and improved the body's lipid profile by reducing body weight. Digestive properties Image credits: Getty Images Moringa extract is proven to reduce free radicals and neutralise the acidic effects of gastric juice. It also prevents the formation of gastric ulcers by increasing capillary resistance and improving microcirculation, leading to less cell injury.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
JE death rate surges to 16% amid decline in cases
Guwahati: The death rate from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam has alarmingly risen to 16% this year, with 59 fatalities out of 354 cases, compared to last year's 7% (36 deaths out of 511 cases). This increase comes despite a declining trend in the number of cases. On Wednesday, three new JE cases were reported — two from Dhubri and one from Karbi Anglong East — but no new deaths were recorded. Medical experts attribute the spike in fatalities to inadequate prolonged treatment, although heightened awareness has helped control the number of cases. In optimal healthcare settings, the JE case fatality rate ranges from 2% to 5%. However, in endemic regions like Assam, a 25% death rate is considered average, according to health officials. "JE case fatality rates in endemic zones can reach 25% to 30%. Last year, the death rate was low relative to the number of cases, but this year, despite identifying JE cases, some patients succumbed due to deteriorating health conditions," said a senior state health department official overseeing the JE situation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Undo In 2022, Assam reported 96 JE deaths, one of the highest in recent years. With July being a peak month for JE, health department sources remain hopeful that the situation will not worsen. However, patient transfers between hospitals, disrupting monitoring, may have contributed to some deaths. "Sometimes, dissatisfied attendants move patients to another hospital, leading to fatalities during transit," a source said. From Jan 1 to Aug 6, the highest number of JE deaths were reported in Nagaon and Nalbari districts, with five each, followed by four deaths each in Barpeta, Biswanath, Sonitpur, and Udalguri. Three deaths each occurred in Bajali, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Dhemaji, and Jorhat, indicating a higher death toll in lower, northern, and upper Assam. Karbi Anglong East reported the highest number of JE cases at 31, followed by 22 cases each in Golaghat and Nalbari. Lakhimpur and Nagaon each reported 20 cases. Notably, Tamulpur and Dima Hasao are the only districts among Assam's 35 that have reported no JE cases this year.
