Authorities in China`s Guangdong province have initiated public health measures reminiscent of those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time to contain the spread of the chikungunya virus. According to Bloomberg, residents purchasing medications for symptom relief in pharmacies must now present identification. This data is then shared with public health authorities to track cases, a method previously employed to monitor movement and manage COVID-19 testing.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted via mosquito bites. Symptoms typically appear within a few days and include a sharp rise in body temperature (up to 40°C or 104°F), severe joint pain (which can persist for months), muscle aches, headaches, nausea, weakness, and rash.
Current conditions in Guangdong, with ongoing flood season and warm weather, provide an ideal environment for the proliferation of mosquitoes that carry the virus. In less than a month, over 7,000 infections have been reported in Foshan city alone.
While a strict lockdown is not yet anticipated for the province, several cities outside Guangdong have imposed restrictions on visitors arriving from Foshan. These individuals are advised to monitor their health carefully for 14 days and seek medical attention if any symptoms emerge.
Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to Americans traveling to China, advising them to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
