05-08-2025
China reports 7,000 cases of Chikunguya virus: Report
Over 7,000 cases of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus have been reported across China's southern Guandong Province since July, according to the BBC.
The report said that the cases were detected in the city of Foshan and at least 12 other cities in Guandong Province.
Moreover, the BBC reported that though all confirmed cases were mild with 95 percent of the patients discharged within a week, citing unnamed officials, the cases have led to widespread panic.
Authorities across Guandong Province vowed to take the necessary measures to stop the spread of the disease, instructing those with symptoms to visit the nearest hospital so they can be tested for the virus.
Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Its symptoms include fever and joint pain, or rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints.
While most patients show signs of improvement within a week, some develop joint pain lasting months or even years.
In July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.
The current surge began in early 2025, hitting islands in the Indian Ocean and spreading to East Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The first epidemic of the virus took place in 2004-2005.
