Chikungunya virus cases on the rise in China. What you need to know about this mosquito-borne disease

Cases of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are on the rise in China's Guangdong province, where more than 8,000 cases have been confirmed in recent weeks. The virus is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and causes fever and severe joint pain, as well as other symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, rash and, in rare cases, neurological problems.

Chikungunya is usually found in tropical areas, but the Aedes albopictus mosquito has adapted to colder climates, spreading the virus to subtropical regions such as southern China. According to the World Health Organization, the virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952 and has been spreading in Asia since the 1970s, with a major outbreak in 2004 in East Africa and parts of Asia.

In America, the virus is a serious health problem, especially in Brazil with over 180,000 cases in 2025. In the US, cases are very few and mainly travel-related.

The outbreak in China began in June and accelerated in July, centered in the city of Foshan and surrounding areas in Guangdong. Authorities are taking measures to control the spread, including quarantines, household inspections and the use of technological tools to eliminate mosquitoes.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 2 warning for travelers to China and recommends using mosquito protection, such as insect repellent, long-sleeved clothing, and staying in well-ventilated, enclosed spaces.

There are two approved vaccines for chikungunya in the US: IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA, with special recommendations for people over 65 with chronic medical conditions. There is no specific antiviral treatment; treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications for fever and pain.

As Chinese authorities work to stop the spread, health experts warn that a pandemic like COVID-19 is not expected, as the virus is not transmitted from human to human, but it will be important to monitor due to the expansion of areas where infectious mosquitoes are found. / Discover Magazine 

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