China has more than 7,000 chikungunya cases mostly in Guangdong. The virus spreads by mosquitoes and causes fever and bad joint pain that can last a long time. The U.S. CDC said travelers should “exercise increased caution.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/cdc-chikungunya-warning-china-20803276.php
China is using strict COVID-style rules to fight this virus. Sick people must stay in hospital. When buying medicine, people have to register with their real name. Officials use mosquito-eating fish, fine people for standing water, and fly drones to find mosquito breeding places. This is similar to what they did for COVID-19.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/china-enforces-covid-like-measures-amid-chikungunya-outbreak/articleshow/123118423.cms
The CDC said chikungunya “poses elevated risk for newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.” It rarely kills but can make people very sick for months.
https://time.com/7307479/chikungunya-china-hong-kong-outbreak/
Even with these strong rules, cases have spread to nearby cities. Experts say this “shows the urgent need for better mosquito control and watching disease in high-risk areas.”
https://apnews.com/article/dcd1d67ce75e72118b5d5dcd3750d902
People going there should use insect spray, cover skin, and stay in places with screens or air conditioning. China’s use of COVID-style lockdowns for this mosquito virus makes people wonder how much they will accept these strict rules. The outbreak shows China’s disease control still has big problems.