A virus in China has triggered worries of another pandemic as the nation battles to contain the outbreak.
Since July, Guangdong province in southern China has reported more than 7,000 cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus known for causing high fever and debilitating joint pain, per the BBC.
Foshan city has emerged as the hardest-hit area, prompting local officials to implement strict measures reminiscent of those seen during the Covid‑19 pandemic.
At least 12 cities across Guangdong have logged infections, with nearly 3,000 new cases recorded in just the past week.
Hong Kong confirmed its first case on August 4, involving a 12-year-old boy who developed fever, rash and joint pain after visiting Foshan.
Unlike contagious illnesses, chikungunya only spreads when an infected individual is bitten by a mosquito that then bites others, per the Independent.
Nonetheless, the surge in cases has sparked public anxiety.
In Foshan, anyone diagnosed with chikungunya must remain hospitalized.
Their beds are surrounded by mosquito nets, and patients can only leave after testing negative or completing a week-long stay. More than 95% of patients have been discharged within seven days, with mild symptoms.
Government Actions: Dengue-Like Measures and BeyondAuthorities have pledged “decisive and forceful measures” to halt the virus.
Residents are urged to see a doctor if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, joint pain or rash.
Officials are also ordering the elimination of stagnant water in homes - whether in flowerpots, coffee machines, or bottles - and threatening fines up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) for non-compliance.
In an aggressive battle against the mosquito population, authorities have released giant “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on chikungunya-carrying bugs.
Officials introduced about 5,000 mosquito-eating fish into Foshan’s lakes.
Drones are being used over parts of the city to detect and address stagnant water sources.
Some neighboring cities briefly mandated 14-day home quarantines for travelers from Foshan - but those rules have since been removed.
Despite the heightened surveillance, some residents drew comparisons to pandemic-era restrictions.
“These feel so familiar... But are they really necessary?” one user asked. Another questioned the quarantine, remarking: “What's the point of the quarantine? It's not as though an infected patient will then go around biting other people?”
Chikungunya symptoms typically appear within 3–7 days of a mosquito bite. In addition to intense joint pain and fever, people may experience headache, muscle pain, rash, and swelling.
While most recover within a week, more severe cases - especially among newborns, the elderly, or those with conditions like heart disease or diabetes - can lead to chronic discomfort lasting months or even years. Deaths from the virus are rare.
Originally identified in Tanzania in 1952, chikungunya has since spread to over 110 countries.
The World Health Organization stresses that the best prevention strategy is eliminating breeding grounds by removing stagnant water where mosquitoes thrive.