The epideline of chikungunya viruses in China is expanding global health problems

A virus transmitted by mosquitoes has led to a generalized epidemic in China, arousing concerns about the world’s impact.

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

The virus spreads when a mosquito feeds on an infected person and then bites another person.

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

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

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

Since the beginning of 2025, around 240,000 cases of Chikvd and 90 deaths have been reported in 16 countries and territories, including Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, the health agency reported in July.

There has been no cases confirmed locally in the United States since 2019, according to CDC data.

Symptoms and risks

Chikungunya’s current symptoms include high fever and joint pain, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News principal medical analyst.

They usually start between three and seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

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

Some people may also experience headaches, swelling of joints, rash and muscle pain, said CDC.

In most cases, symptoms diminish in a week, but some may suffer from severe joint pain for months or years after infection.

“Sometimes neurological complications arise, including encephalitis (brain swelling).”

“Sometimes neurological complications arise, including encephalitis (brain swelling),” warned Siegel.

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Persons at the highest risk of serious illness include adults 65 and over, newborns and people with comorbidities, such as heart disease or diabetes, said CDC.

Chikungunya is rarely fatal.

Propagate

The chikungunya virus is not transmitted in humans. It cannot be distributed by physical, cough or sneezing contact, said the CDC.

Although there have been cases of chikungunya in Southeast Asia, the high volume in southern China is new, noted Siegel.

Current symptoms of chikungunya include high fever and joint pain. (istock)

“China’s containment strategy is also very restrictive and draconian, and will probably not work,” he told Fox News Digital.

The country has shared plans for using drones to search for stagnant water where mosquitoes are reproduced, as well as spraying parks, public places and even people with repellents, said the doctor.

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“Civil servants do door-to-door dressed in red vests and fine or to stop anyone still has water,” said Siegel, citing a New York Times report.

“They also quarantined the patients in the hospital for a week under the fillet of mosquitoes.”

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Another tactic is to use elephant mosquitoes, which produce larvae that eat the Aedes mosquitoes that distribute the virus, added Siegel.

“None of this is likely to work, because people live too close to each other and these mosquitoes reproduce easily,” he said.

Prevention and treatment

There is currently no specific medication to treat the chikungunya virus.

The best way to keep the virus at a distance is to prevent mosquito bites, according to experts.

A staff member performs disinfection work in a hospital in the middle of an epidemic in Chikungunya on July 23, 2025, in Foshan, Guangdong’s province of China. (Getty Images)

The recommended prevention strategies include the use of an insectuge recorded by the EPA, wearing long -sleeved shirts and pants, keeping screens under Windows, using mosquito net in the event of sleep outside and treating clothes and equipment with 0.5% permethrin (a synthetic chemical used mainly as insecticide).

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Two vaccines are available in the United States – a lively attenuated vaccine (IXCHIQ) and a virus particle vaccine (VIMKUNYA), which can be recommended for higher risk travelers who plan to visit places where the virus is prevailing, said CDC.

Travelers should speak with a health care provider to determine if they are candidates for the vaccine.