New Delhi: China has introduced Covid-style containment measures to tackle a growing chikungunya outbreak, with over 7,000 cases reported nationwide since July, according to multiple reports.
In Foshan — the worst-hit city — authorities have mandated that infected patients remain hospitalized. Patients are being kept under mosquito nets and can only be discharged either after testing negative or completing a week-long stay, the BBC reported.
The South China Morning Post added that Foshan’s health authorities have implemented real-name registration for anyone purchasing medications used to treat chikungunya symptoms such as fever, rash, and joint pain. Pharmacies have been directed to keep detailed sales records.
Beyond Foshan, at least 12 other cities in southern Guangdong province have reported infections. Nearly 3,000 new cases were recorded in just the last week.
Two cities in southeastern China have advised travelers returning from outbreak zones to monitor their health closely for symptoms.
On Monday, Hong Kong reported its first chikungunya case — a 12-year-old boy who showed symptoms after returning from Foshan in July.
Though chikungunya is not transmitted from person to person, it spreads when an infected individual is bitten by a mosquito that then bites someone else.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a travel advisory for China amid the rising number of infections.
Chikungunya, transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — which also spread dengue and Zika — has no specific treatment and can trigger rapid, large-scale outbreaks. Since these mosquitoes bite primarily during the day, preventive measures such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing are critical.
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert to prevent a repeat of the 2004–2005 chikungunya epidemic. New outbreaks have emerged in the Indian Ocean region, spreading to parts of Europe and beyond.
The current surge began in early 2025, with significant outbreaks in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius — areas previously affected during the earlier epidemic.
What to Know About Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes. Unlike many other mosquito-borne illnesses, these mosquitoes are active during the daytime, which raises the risk of infection.
Typical symptoms include high fever, rash, and intense joint pain, which can last for weeks or even months. While most patients recover fully, the disease can cause serious complications in elderly individuals and those with underlying medical conditions.
