Health Officials Issue Travel Advisory Amid Chikungunya Outbreak in China

Health authorities in China have reported over 8,000 cases of chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, leading to a travel warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak is primarily concentrated in Foshan, a major city in the Guangdong province, which has a population nearing 10 million. Additional cases have also surfaced in nearby regions, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Hunan province, located more than 400 miles away.

In light of the rising number of infections, the CDC has urged travelers to exercise caution when visiting China and other nations experiencing similar outbreaks, such as Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.

Chikungunya is known to cause severe joint pain and fever, with symptoms that can linger for weeks, months, or even years. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized the debilitating nature of joint pain associated with the virus.

The disease is primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, specifically the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. These mosquitoes become carriers when they bite individuals already infected with the virus. Furthermore, chikungunya can be transmitted through blood transfusions or direct contact with infected blood, but it is not spread through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms of chikungunya typically manifest three to seven days following a bite from an infected mosquito. Common indicators include fever, joint pain, headaches, and rashes. While fatalities are rare, prolonged joint pain is a concern, particularly for older adults, infants, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.

As of July 2025, approximately 240,000 chikungunya cases have been documented globally this year, resulting in 90 reported deaths, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Currently, there are no specific antiviral treatments for chikungunya, but two vaccines have recently been approved in the United States, with the first gaining approval in 2023. Unfortunately, these vaccines are not yet available in China. In response to the outbreak, Chinese health authorities are implementing various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, including utilizing drones for mosquito repellent spraying and introducing fish to local ponds to consume mosquito larvae. Hospitals have been mandated to report new cases within a 24-hour timeframe.

To protect against mosquito bites, the CDC recommends individuals wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, apply insect repellent, and remain indoors in air-conditioned or screened environments. Vaccination is advised for travelers heading to regions experiencing outbreaks, particularly for those planning extended stays.

Health experts stress the importance of deploying vaccines effectively in areas most affected by the virus, highlighting the critical role these vaccinations can play in controlling future outbreaks.