Pandemic fears erupt as China’s agonising
China Faces Record Chikungunya Outbreak
China has recorded over 10,000 cases of chikungunya, believed to be the country’s largest outbreak on record.
The mosquito-borne virus can cause fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle aches, swelling, and rash. The young, elderly, and those with pre-existing health issues are most at risk, and “there are no medicines to treat the condition,” according to the US CDC.
The worst-hit area is Foshan in Guangdong province, but infections have reached Hong Kong (five cases) and Taiwan (one case linked to the mainland). Authorities are distributing mosquito nets, spraying disinfectant, and even deploying drones to eliminate breeding grounds.
The UKHSA said its teams monitor mosquito threats, test samples, and provide travel health advice. Experts warn that the virus’s “rapid global spread reflects our interconnected world” and that climate change could expand mosquito habitats, increasing the risk in new regions.
