China’s chikungunya epidemic does not spread to the United States, experts say

A virus transmitted by mosquitoes led to a generalized epidemic in China-but could it appear in the United States?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) American on Wednesday published a level 2 alert for a chikungunya virus epidemic in Guangdong province, where health officials reported more than 7,000 cases, reported the Associated Press (AP).

There are current efforts to control the mosquitoes that propagate the virus, including the use of nets, insecticide and drones, the report indicates.

The virus transmitted by mosquitoes spreading through China causes high fever, joint pain

The cases of Chikungunya have also spread throughout Europe, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The virus is transmitted when a mosquito feeds on an infected person and then bites someone else.

The chikungunya virus spreads when an Aedes mosquito feeds on an infected person and then bites another person. (istock)

Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the infectious disease division of Boston Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said that an epidemic in the United States was unlikely.

Chikungunya is a tropical predominance virus distributed through the Aedes mosquitoes, which are in the southern United States.

CDC issues a travel warning in China on the chikungunya virus epidemic

“The reason why we don’t have much chikungunya, dengue or zika in the United States is that there are not many of these mosquitoes here,” Sax said.

“To really support a chikungunya epidemic in the United States, you must have many more people with chikungunya. And we have only occasionally people with it.”

“If there is not a lot of chikungunya in circulation in our community, we are not going to see a sustained epidemic.”

It was mainly Americans who recently traveled in highly endemic regions of the world that could potentially contract chikungunya, noted the expert – and then they should be bitten by mosquitoes that have spread to others.

“So it is very unlikely to have a big epidemic, but if we had to have an epidemic – this is very likely to happen in places like Florida, Louisiana and Texas,” said Sax.

A sanitation worker pushes the insecticide to prevent the spread of the chikungunya virus on August 3, 2025, in the Guangdong province in China. (VCG via Getty Images)

There was a recent case of Chikungunya in Brigham and Women’s Hospital involving a patient who had gone to Bolivia, shared the doctor.

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“She contracted it there and then returned here and was diagnosed here,” he said.

“But this person must then be bitten by an Aedes mosquito, who then transmits him to another person … If there is not many chikungunya in circulation in our community, we are not going to see a sustained epidemic.”

How to recognize chikungunya

Symptoms of the chikungunya virus generally include fever, headache and severe joint pain.

Joint pain can last weeks or even months after initial infection, has shared sax.

There is no antiviral treatment for chikungunya, but some patients can see a joint specialist who may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.

Current symptoms of the chikungunya virus include headache, fever and joint pain. (istock)

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can also help relieve symptoms, according to the sax.

Two vaccines also exist – IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA – which are a popular choice for those who travel to highly endemic regions.

Dr. Neil Maniar, Ph.D., professor of public health practices in the Public Health and Health Sciences of Northeastern University in Boston, agreed that the risk of chikungunya in the United States is low.

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In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Maniar suggested that the epidemic in China is probably linked to their monsoon season, because pests like mosquitoes and even ticks thrive in hot and humid environments.

The expert encouraged people to take appropriate precautions during travel or visit tropical areas, even in the United States

Experts recommend precautions to avoid diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, including vaccinations, if necessary. (istock)

These include the use of bug repellents, wearing long pants and receiving appropriate vaccinations when traveling in affected areas.

“We see an increase in diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks because we see longer seasons where they can prosper,” he said.

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“The population of mosquitoes and ticks grows … and I think that is something we should all pay attention to.”

Melissa Rudy de Fox News Digital contributed to this report.