The U.S. CDC said it is considering issuing a travel notice for China as the Chikungunya virus outbreak continues its rapid spread.
As the Chikungunya fever outbreak has continued to spread in Guangdong province, Chinese authorities have adopted similar control measures to how they handled the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering public fear of a return of city wide lockdowns.
As of July 31, the total number of officially confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever reported in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, reached more than 6,000, according to Chinese state media. The first case was reported on July 8. On Aug. 1, Foshan authorities reported 333 newly confirmed cases in one day.
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease mainly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Its symptoms are similar to dengue fever. Patients usually experience fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and rash.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya. Deaths from the disease are rare but do occur, especially among vulnerable populations such as those with underlying health conditions.
Meanwhile, confirmed cases have also been reported in more than 10 cities in Guangdong Province, according to Guangdong Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On July 31, the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the Chinese regime’s National Health Commission issued an urgent nationwide notice for diagnosis and treatment plans for the Chikungunya fever outbreak.
In the notice, the central authorities said there is currently no Chikungunya virus vaccine available in China. They said that “quarantine measures must be taken” for suspected and confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, local authorities in Foshan City, which is hardest-hit by Chikungunya fever, initiated a Level III public health emergency response on July 29.
In China, the official response levels are divided into four levels: Level I (extremely serious), Level II (serious), Level III (major), and Level IV (general).
Residents in Foshan City told local media that they had received an official notice that Chikungunya virus PCR screening would be conducted as part of a three day mass testing effort from July 29 to 31.
On July 30, the Shabian Village Residents Committee of Lecong Town in Shunde district, Foshan, told local media that the whole town had received notice of mass PCR screening for the Chikungunya virus for July 29 to July 31.
Videos circulating on social media showed Guangdong residents lining up for PCR testing, and epidemic prevention personnel fumigating the city to kill mosquitoes.
By Alex Wu
