What is the chikungunya virus, how are countries such as China battling it?

By Admin

06 Aug, 2025

As the world grapples with the rise of infectious diseases in 2025, one virus making alarming headlines is chikungunya. This mosquito-borne disease, long considered a tropical health threat, is now surging across continents   infecting approximately 240,000 people and causing 90 deaths in 16 countries since the beginning of the year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Health officials in the United States and Europe are urging travelers to stay vigilant as the virus spreads across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Indian Ocean islands.

Let’s take a deeper look at what chikungunya is, how it spreads, and how countries   particularly China   are responding to its rapid transmission.

What Is the Chikungunya Virus?

Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito   the same insect responsible for transmitting dengue, yellow fever, and Zika virus. The name “chikungunya” comes from the Kimakonde language spoken in Tanzania and Mozambique, meaning “to become contorted,” a reference to the stooped posture many patients assume due to intense joint pain.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
  
  

• Joint pain (sometimes severe)
  
  

• Muscle pain
  
  

• Rashes
  
  

• Headaches
  
  

While most patients recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months or even years. There is no specific cure for the virus, but deaths are relatively rare   mainly occurring in newborns, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

How the Virus Spreads

The virus is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a human, injecting the virus into the bloodstream. If another, previously uninfected mosquito bites the same infected person, it can then become a carrier and spread the virus further.

This cycle makes controlling mosquito populations a critical component of managing chikungunya outbreaks.

How Bad Is the Current Outbreak?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the 2025 outbreak has hit Indian Ocean islands particularly hard. In La Reunion, over 54,000 cases have been reported as of July, with 12 deaths and sustained high transmission. This marks the most serious outbreak since 2005–2006, which saw as many as 300,000 infections.

The virus is also surging in:

• Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya
  
  

• Parts of Southeast Asia, including India, where Mumbai has reported rising cases
  
  

• Europe, with France recording about 800 imported cases
  
  

• The Americas, where Brazil alone has seen over 185,000 cases
  
  

China’s Battle With Chikungunya

China is currently facing its worst chikungunya outbreak since 2008, with about 7,000 infections reported since late June. The majority of these are in Foshan, Guangdong province, a region just north of Hong Kong.

Health authorities say the outbreak started with an imported case that triggered local transmission. Infections have since spread to at least 12 cities in southern China. Warmer and wetter weather   linked to climate change   is allowing mosquitoes to breed and survive longer, worsening the situation.

How Is China Responding?

China has launched aggressive control measures to stop the outbreak, including:

• Using drones to locate mosquito breeding sites.
  
  

• Releasing “elephant mosquitoes”, whose larvae consume the larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
  
  

• Enforcing regulations requiring residents to remove standing water from homes, including flowerpots, empty bottles, and unused containers.
  
  

• Imposing fines up to 10,000 yuan (~$1,400) for noncompliance; in severe cases, criminal charges may apply.
  
  

• Quarantining infected individuals behind mosquito nets in designated wards.
  
  

• Health costs in some areas are being borne by individuals, with limited government coverage.
  
  

On July 31, Hong Kong confirmed its first chikungunya case in six years  a 12-year-old boy returning from Foshan with fever, rash, and joint pain.

Global Response and Other Measures

Other affected countries are also stepping up efforts. In La Reunion and Mayotte, authorities have implemented:

• Enhanced mosquito surveillance
  
  

• Public health awareness campaigns
  
  

• Targeted vaccinations (where applicable)
  
  

In Spain, the Basque Country activated preventive protocols following a nearby case in France, including real-time tracking through apps like Mosquito Alert.

Prevention and Treatment

Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Prevention is the most effective tool.

Tips to protect yourself:

• Wear long sleeves and pants
  
  

• Use mosquito repellents
  
  

• Stay indoors in air-conditioned rooms
  
  

• Install mosquito nets
  
  

• Remove standing water around homes
  
  

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends supportive care: rest, fluids, and medications like acetaminophen for fever and pain. Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) until dengue is ruled out, as they can increase bleeding risk.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 chikungunya outbreak is a stark reminder of how interconnected the world has become   and how local cases can quickly become global concerns. As climate change fuels mosquito-borne viruses, countries must invest in surveillance, mosquito control, and public education to stay ahead.

For now, awareness and personal prevention remain our best defense. Whether you're in Guangdong, La Reunion, or Latin America, one thing is clear   the fight against chikungunya is far from over.