With concerns growing after an outbreak of the Chikungunya virus in China, these are the symptoms you should be looking out for.
Since July, over 7,000 cases have been confirmed in Guangdong province, southern China, according to the BBC.
The hardest-hit city so far is Foshan, where the surge in infections has led to strict containment efforts that have drawn comparisons to the early days of the Covid‑19 pandemic.
Where the Virus Is Hitting HardestTwelve cities in Guangdong have reported cases, with nearly 3,000 of them emerging in just the past week alone. The spread hasn’t stopped at the provincial border — on August 4, Hong Kong confirmed its first chikungunya case.
The patient, a 12-year-old boy, had recently visited Foshan and developed fever, rash, and joint pain.
Although chikungunya isn’t contagious between humans — it requires a mosquito to transmit the virus from one person to another — the rapid spike in numbers has alarmed both citizens and health officials.
Chikungunya symptoms typically show up three to seven days after a mosquito bite. Alongside high fever and joint pain, infected individuals may also experience headaches, rashes, muscle aches, and swelling.
Most people recover in a week, but complications can occur — especially for newborns, the elderly, or those with existing health issues like diabetes or heart disease. While deaths are rare, some patients experience lingering symptoms for months or even years, per the CDC.
The virus, first identified in Tanzania in 1952, has now spread to over 110 countries worldwide.
The local government has vowed to take “decisive and forceful measures” in response to the outbreak. Residents experiencing fever, joint pain, or rashes are being told to seek immediate medical attention.
Efforts to wipe out mosquito breeding grounds are in full swing. Homes are being inspected for stagnant water — even small amounts found in flowerpots, water bottles, or coffee machines are being targeted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10,000 yuan (around $1,400).
Officials have even turned to natural predators, releasing giant “elephant mosquitoes” that feed on the disease-carrying insects.
Approximately 5,000 mosquito-eating fish have also been introduced into Foshan’s lakes, and drones are being deployed across the city to detect and treat potential mosquito habitats from above.
In some nearby cities, residents returning from Foshan were briefly placed under 14-day home quarantines, though those restrictions have since been lifted.