Latest news with #CesarLopez-Camacho
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What is the chikungunya virus death rate? Is it contagious? All questions answered as China faces outbreak
Authorities in China are fighting the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus using nets, spraying insecticide, and even deploying drones, according to the Associated Press. More than 7,000 cases of the virus were reported as of Wednesday, August 6, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, which is located about 105 miles from Hong Kong. Authorities have said that the number of new cases seems to be gradually dropping. A worker sprays insecticide at a public housing estate following reports of imported cases of Chikungunya in Hong Kong, China, August 7, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu(REUTERS) Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford has said that this appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China. The virus, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, can cause fever and joint pain. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,' Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. 'This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.' What is the chikungunya virus death rate? Per Nature, the overall death rate for chikungunya virus is not very high, with approximately one in 1,000 cases resulting in death. Death rates, however, can be higher among vulnerable populations, such as newborns, infants, and the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Death rates have been estimated to be as high as 0.32% for normal-risk populations, and 15.34% for high-risk populations, in some studies, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Cleveland Clinic also confirms that death from the virus is rare. However, it adds that there have been cases where people have reported ongoing heart, eye or neurological symptoms even after recovering from the virus. Is the chikungunya virus contagious? The chikungunya virus does not spread from person-to-person, and is not spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. 'People can become infected with chikungunya virus when mosquitoes feed on another infected person and then bite them,' it adds. Read More | From mosquitoes to mold: Doctor lists 6 common monsoon illnesses and how to stay safe The Cleveland Clinic confirms that the virus is not contagious, saying, 'The virus spreads through mosquito bites, not from person to person through bodily fluids or contact. This means if you're sick with chikungunya, you won't pass it on to a caregiver or family member.' What are the symptoms of chikungunya virus and is there any medication? The CDC says that the symptoms of the virus, some of which most infected people will develop, commonly include fever and joint pain. Headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rashes are other possible symptoms. The Cleveland Clinic says, 'There's no medication to treat chikungunya. Treatment focuses on managing your symptoms. Most people recover from the illness in about one week, but some have lasting joint pain.'
CNN
2 days ago
- Health
- CNN
China fights mosquito-borne chikungunya virus with drones, fines and nets as thousands fall ill
Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. Authorities had reported more than 7,000 cases of the virus as of Wednesday, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, some 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. It appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever and joint pain. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,' Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. 'This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.' Chinese state television has shown workers spraying insecticide around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with mosquitoes. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, and authorities are using drones to try to find standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs. Authorities also have threatened to fine people who don't empty water from outdoor receptacles. Residents can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Because of the virus, the US has issued a travel advisory suggesting that Americans take extra precautions when visiting China's Guangdong province, where Foshan is located, as well as Bolivia and some island nations in the Indian Ocean. Since the 2003 SARS outbreak, China has used strict measures to fight the spread of viruses, including hard-line tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for at least one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped because the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the spread of chikungunya with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitoes to eat the insects carrying the virus. Officials have held meetings and adopted protocols at the national level in a sign of China's determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
China fights mosquito-borne chikungunya virus with drones, fines and nets as thousands fall ill
Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. Authorities had reported more than 7,000 cases of the virus as of Wednesday, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, some 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. It appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever and joint pain. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,' Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. 'This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.' Chinese state television has shown workers spraying insecticide around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with mosquitoes. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, and authorities are using drones to try to find standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs. Authorities also have threatened to fine people who don't empty water from outdoor receptacles. Residents can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Because of the virus, the US has issued a travel advisory suggesting that Americans take extra precautions when visiting China's Guangdong province, where Foshan is located, as well as Bolivia and some island nations in the Indian Ocean. Since the 2003 SARS outbreak, China has used strict measures to fight the spread of viruses, including hard-line tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for at least one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped because the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the spread of chikungunya with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitoes to eat the insects carrying the virus. Officials have held meetings and adopted protocols at the national level in a sign of China's determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism.
CNN
2 days ago
- Health
- CNN
China fights mosquito-borne chikungunya virus with drones, fines and nets as thousands fall ill
Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. Authorities had reported more than 7,000 cases of the virus as of Wednesday, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, some 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. It appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever and joint pain. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,' Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. 'This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.' Chinese state television has shown workers spraying insecticide around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with mosquitoes. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, and authorities are using drones to try to find standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs. Authorities also have threatened to fine people who don't empty water from outdoor receptacles. Residents can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Because of the virus, the US has issued a travel advisory suggesting that Americans take extra precautions when visiting China's Guangdong province, where Foshan is located, as well as Bolivia and some island nations in the Indian Ocean. Since the 2003 SARS outbreak, China has used strict measures to fight the spread of viruses, including hard-line tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for at least one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped because the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the spread of chikungunya with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitoes to eat the insects carrying the virus. Officials have held meetings and adopted protocols at the national level in a sign of China's determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism.
