Latest news with #mosquito-borne virus
The Sun
08-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Holiday hotspots report cases of organ destroying virus sparking global outbreak fears in China
SOME favourite holiday destinations for Brits are now hotspots for a crippling mosquito-borne virus, new figures reveal. Chikungunya, which is rarely deadly but capable of wreaking havoc on organs and causing agonising, months-long pain and disability, is exploding worldwide. 4 4 Just last month The World Health Organisation warned chikungunya could soon affect billions across the globe as it tears through parts of the Indian Ocean and edges closer to Europe. The health watchdog said it was seeing the same warning signs as in the last major outbreak two decades ago, when nearly half a million were infected worldwide. More than 7,000 people have been struck down by the mosquito-borne bug in China alone, marking the country's biggest ever outbreak of the disease, according to experts. Most cases have been reported in the city of Foshan, in the southern province of Guangdong. In recent days, cases have cropped up in neighbouring areas and countries, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to media reports, this is despite China imposing Covid-like measures to contain the virus. Since early 2025, this viral wave has crossed continents, with 250,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded across 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). And while the UK remains free of risk for now, parts of France and Italy - both very popular with Brits, are already battling the virus. There have been 12 local transmission episodes in several regions of southern France within the last year - meaning people were infected by mosquitoes in Europe, not while travelling. While this sounds concerning, experts have fortunately said it isn't going to be the next pandemic. Professor Will Irving, a virology expert at the University of Nottingham said: "There have been equally large, if not larger outbreaks around the world prior to this one." What is Chikungunya However, he added: "With climate change, the mosquitos are spreading, and there are reports of the mosquito being present in parts of Europe (France, Italy, Spain).' Last year, Europe saw a sharp surge in mosquito-borne diseases - including dengue, West Nile, and malaria - with some infections doubling in just 12 months. Chikungunya is primarily spread by the Aedes mosquito (also known as the tiger mosquito) and cannot spread from person to person. But a mosquito can pick up the disease by feeding on an infected individual and then transmit it to new human hosts by biting them. Unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes, these critters are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. 4 4 How to stay safe Several experts have shared precautionary steps those travelling the sunny beaches of Europe can take to prevent infection. Professor Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, advised travellers to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs. Ideally, he said: "They will be light coloured, so you can see if mosquitos have landed on you." In particular, he warned that it is a bad idea for women in late stages of pregnancy to travel to these destinations. "If you get infected with it later on in the pregnancy, it can pose a risk to the baby," he said. Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK - although one is under safety review for older people. Those are mostly targeted at travellers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, there is evidence to suggest they have lifelong immunity. In 2024, there were 112 confirmed and probable cases of chikungunya, all linked to people returning from popular destinations like India, Pakistan and Brazil. Once mostly confined to Asia, Africa, and South America, the virus is now expanding its reach across Europe and the US, with local outbreaks on the rise. It has surged in places like Madagascar, the Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya, India, and Brazil. Meanwhile, the Pacific Islands are also grappling with rising outbreaks in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Kiribati. The US has recorded 46 cases this year, all in travellers returning from high-risk regions, with no deaths reported so far. Crippling joint pain While chikungunya very rarely causes death, its symptoms are debilitating. They usually begin within a week of being bitten and can include a sudden high fever, fatigue, nausea, reddening of the eyes, sensitivity to light and a rash. The virus gets its name from a word in the Kimakonde language spoken in southern Tanzania meaning 'to become contorted,' to the crippling joint pain it causes. The virus triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation in the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis that can persist for weeks, months and sometimes years after the initial infection. Those most at risk of severe illness include newborn babies, older adults, and people with underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. How concerning is this outbreak? Though tactics adopted by authorities in China hark back to lockdown measures five years ago, chikungunya "does not pose the same level of pandemic threat as a virus like Covid-19", according to Prof Tom Solomon, director of The Pandemic Institute in Liverpool. Dr César López-Camacho, from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, added: 'It is extremely unlikely to cause a pandemic in the traditional sense, as chikungunya does not spread from person to person. "However, it can cause large regional outbreaks, especially when introduced to mosquito-rich, low-immunity settings, like what we are probably seeing in China." The risk to the UK from this outbreak is "currently low" as Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to carry the virus, aren't widespread here. "But we do need to watch closely, as climate change and global travel are expanding the range of these mosquitoes, and with it, the viruses they carry," Dr López-Camacho warned. 'It is also important that genetic sequencing of the virus in this outbreak is carried out. "In past outbreaks, mutations have helped chikungunya adapt to new mosquito species. "If the virus has changed, we need to ensure current vaccines still offer protection." Brits travelling to China amidst the outbreak should "be cautious", the disease expert said. He continued: "The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel alert, recommending travellers use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. "Travellers returning from affected areas who develop fever and joint pain should seek medical attention and mention their recent travel." People travelling to high-risk areas where outbreaks of the virus often occur can get vaccinated against chikungunya at a travel clinic. But Prof Solomon noted: "There have been reports of serious side effects in people over the age of 65. "As such, the vaccine is currently recommended for travellers under 65 visiting high-risk areas."
South China Morning Post
07-08-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
China reports 7,000 cases of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
More than 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have been reported across China's southern Guangdong province since July 2025. Hong Kong has also reported several imported cases of the virus.
BBC News
05-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
China reports 7,000 cases of chikungunya virus
More than 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have been reported across China's Guangdong province since July, prompting measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Foshan city, which has been hit the hardest, chikungunya patients must stay in hospital, where their beds will protected with mosquito nets. They can only be discharged after they test negative or at the end of a week-long stay. Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus causes fever and severe joint pain, which sometimes can last for years. Although rare in China, chikungunya outbreaks are common in South and South East Asia and parts of Africa. How widespread are the infections in China? Aside from Foshan, at least 12 other cities in the southern Guangdong province have reported infections. Nearly 3,000 cases were reported in the last week alone. On Monday, Hong Kong reported its first case - a 12-year-old boy who developed fever, rash and joint pain after traveling to Foshan in July. The virus is not contagious, and only spreads when an infected person is bitten by a mosquito that then goes on to bite others. Officials say all the reported cases have been mild so far, with 95% of the patients discharged within seven days. Still, the cases have led to some panic, given the virus is not widely known in the country. "This is scary. The prolonged consequences sound very painful," one user wrote on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The US has urged travellers to China to exercise "increased caution" following the outbreak. What else is China doing to curb infections? Authorities across Guangdong province have vowed to take "decisive and forceful measures" to stop the spread of the disease. Those with symptoms, such as fever, joint pain or rashes, are being urged to visit the nearest hospital so they can be tested for the virus. Authorities have instructed residents to remove stagnant water in their homes, such as in flowerpots, coffee machines or spare bottles - and warned of fines up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) if they don't do this. They are also releasing giant "elephant mosquitoes" that can devour smaller, chikungunya-spreading bugs; and an army of mosquito-eating fish. Last week, officials in Foshan released 5,000 of these larvae-eating fish into the city's lakes. In parts of the city, they are even flying drones to detect sources of stagnant water. Some neighbouring cities had ordered travellers from Foshan to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, but that has since been withdrawn. Some people have compared these measures to those imposed during the pandemic, and questioned their necessity. A user on Weibo wrote, "These feel so familiar... But are they really necessary?" Another wrote: "What's the point of the quarantine? It's not as though an infected patient will then go around biting other people?" China implemented severe restrictions during the pandemic, including forcing people into quarantine camps and sealing residential buildings and whole neighbourhoods on short notice for days or even weeks. What is chikungunya? Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will develop symptoms of chikungunya within three to seven days. Apart from fever and joint pain, other symptoms include rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints. In most cases, patients will feel better within a week. In severe cases however, the joint pain can last for months or even years. Those at risk for more severe disease include newborns, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. There is no cure, but deaths from chikungunya are rare. The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952. It then spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. To date, it has been reported in more than 110 countries. The best way to prevent the virus from spreading is to reduce pools of stagnant water that allow the mosquitoes to breed, according to the World Health Organization.
Al Arabiya
05-08-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
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.
BBC News
05-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Chikungunya virus: China reports 7,000 cases
More than 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have been reported across China's Guangdong province since July, prompting measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 Foshan city, which has been hit the hardest, chikungunya patients must stay in hospital, where their beds will protected with mosquito nets. They can only be discharged after they test negative or at the end of a week-long through the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus causes fever and severe joint pain, which sometimes can last for rare in China, chikungunya outbreaks are common in South and South East Asia and parts of Africa. How widespread are the infections in China? Aside from Foshan, at least 12 other cities in the southern Guangdong province have reported infections. Nearly 3,000 cases were reported in the last week Monday, Hong Kong reported its first case - a 12-year-old boy who developed fever, rash and joint pain after traveling to Foshan in virus is not contagious, and only spreads when an infected person is bitten by a mosquito that then goes on to bite others. Officials say all the reported cases have been mild so far, with 95% of the patients were discharged within seven the cases have led to some panic, given the virus is not widely known in the country."This is scary. The prolonged consequences sound very painful," one user wrote on Chinese social media platform US has urged travellers to China to exercise "increased caution" following the outbreak. What else is China doing to curb infections? Authorities across Guangdong province have vowed to take "decisive and forceful measures" to stop the spread of the with symptoms, such as fever, joint pain or rashes, are being urged to visit the nearest hospital so they can be tested for the have instructed residents to remove stagnant water in their homes, such as in flowerpots, coffee machines or spare bottles - and warned of fines up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) if they don't do this. They are also releasing giant "elephant mosquitoes" that can devour smaller, chikungunya-spreading bugs; and an army of mosquito-eating fish. Last week, officials in Foshan released 5,000 of these larvae-eating fish into the city's lakes. In parts of the city, they are even flying drones to detect sources of stagnant neighbouring cities had ordered travellers from Foshan to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, but that has since been people have compared these measures to those imposed during the pandemic, and questioned their necessity.A user on Weibo wrote, "These feel so familiar... But are they really necessary?" Another wrote: "What's the point of the quarantine? It's not as though an infected patient will then go around biting other people?" China implemented severe restrictions during the pandemic, including forcing people into quarantine camps and sealing residential buildings and whole neighbourhoods on short notice for days or even weeks. What is chikungunya? Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will develop symptoms of chikungunya within three to seven from fever and joint pain, other symptoms include rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints. In most cases, patients will feel better within a week. In severe cases however, the joint pain can last for months or even years. Those at risk for more severe disease include newborns, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or is no cure, but deaths from chikungunya are virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952. It then spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. To date, it has been reported in more than 110 countries. The best way to prevent the virus from spreading is to reduce pools of stagnant water that allow the mosquitoes to breed, according to the World Health Organization.
