An outbreak of the chikungunya virus in the manufacturing hub of Foshan near Hong Kong has prompted Chinese authorities to implement robust precautionary measures to prevent new cases from the mosquito-borne illness.
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus carrying the same name. It was first discovered in 1952 in Tanzania, but cases and outbreaks have since been reported in more than 100 countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The virus spreads mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, and outbreaks have become more frequent and widespread since 2004, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In addition to the Guangdong province of China, eight other countries are currently seeing outbreaks: Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
How is it spread?
The virus is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected person, that mosquito becomes infected and can then spread the virus to other people.
The CDC says people rarely spread the virus to other people. The virus could only be spread through blood transfusion, the handling of infected blood in the lab, or by drawing blood from an infected patient.
The virus is not spread through coughing, sneezing or touching, the CDC says.
What are its symptoms?
Chikungunya is rarely fatal, but it often causes severe joint pain and a fever. Other symptoms include headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling or rashes.
Symptoms typically subside within a week, but joint pain can linger for months in some cases.
People most at risk for severe disease are newborns infected around the time of birth and adults 65 years and older. People with medical conditions including high blood pressure and heart disease also face elevated risk.
Can it be treated?
There are no medical treatments approved for the disease, but officials recommend rest, fluids and avoiding getting mosquito bites for the first week of illness.
The CDC says over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen can help, but officials strongly warn against taking medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, until another mosquito-borne illness, dengue, can be ruled out as the cause of symptoms.
There are two vaccines available in the U.S.
How many people have been infected?
As of Wednesday, more than 7,000 cases have been reported in China, mostly in Foshan, The Associated Press reported.
As of July, there were about 240,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded in 2025 in 16 countries/territories globally, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The Americas have led in the global count. As of mid-July, Brazil led with more than 185,000 cases recorded. As of early August, Brazil has recorded more than 201,000 cases.
How is China responding?
China has implemented a series of measures to prevent the spread of infection through mosquitos, including by distributing mosquito nets and having workers spray residential areas, streets and construction sites with insecticide, the AP reported.
The AP also reported that people who do not empty water from bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles that might attract mosquitos can be subject to fines of up to the equivalent of $1,400 or have their electricity cut off.
How is the US responding?
The CDC issued a “level 2” travel advisory on Aug.1, warning people to take enhanced precautions if traveling to Guangdong.
The CDC recommends vaccinations for travelers visiting areas with outbreaks. The agency also advises pregnant women to consider whether they should avoid travel to the area.
