A sudden and alarming surge of the chikungunya virus in China has prompted a robust response from authorities, with drones, insecticides, and even fines being used to tackle the outbreak, which has already infected more than 7,000 people.
The outbreak, which is primarily affecting the southern manufacturing hub of Foshan, located approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong, marks the largest chikungunya outbreak ever recorded in China. Experts, including Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford, believe this marks the first time the virus has taken root in mainland China, suggesting that the majority of the population lacked immunity, allowing for rapid transmission.
“This event is significant because chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,” said Lopez-Camacho. “The lack of preexisting immunity made it easier for the virus to spread rapidly.”
Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus, causes fever and joint pain and is typically spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Although the virus is not spread person-to-person, the outbreak’s severity in the Guangdong province has prompted a swift government response.
Chinese state-run media outlets have showcased workers spraying insecticides in urban areas, construction sites, and residential communities. These measures, which have included spraying near office buildings and public areas, are part of a comprehensive effort to reduce mosquito breeding grounds and curb the spread of the disease.
The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rains and soaring temperatures, which have created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to thrive. To combat this, Chinese authorities have employed drones to locate and eliminate standing water, a primary breeding ground for mosquitoes. These drones assist in pinpointing areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
In a further effort to limit the spread of the virus, residents have been threatened with fines of up to 10,000 yuan (about $1,400) for failing to empty outdoor water receptacles. Authorities have even warned that electricity could be cut off for non-compliance.
As the outbreak continues, the U.S. has issued a travel advisory urging American citizens to take extra precautions when visiting China’s Guangdong province, the epicenter of the outbreak, as well as other regions in the Indian Ocean.
China’s rigorous approach to handling infectious diseases, including the aggressive measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, has once again been put to the test. For patients in Foshan, being hospitalised has become mandatory for at least one week. Initially, authorities imposed a two-week quarantine, but it was later lifted after determining that chikungunya is not transmitted between people.
Reports have also surfaced of efforts to combat the virus using alternative methods, such as introducing fish that consume mosquito larvae, and deploying larger mosquito species that prey on the insects carrying the virus.
Despite the challenges, China has remained resolute in its response, holding national meetings and adopting stringent protocols to eliminate the outbreak and avoid criticism from both domestic and international observers.
As the chikungunya virus continues to spread, it remains to be seen whether the country’s extraordinary measures will be enough to curtail this historic health crisis.