Chikungunya virus: China reports 7000 cases

More than 7,000 mosquito virus cases have been reported throughout the Chinese province of Guangdong since July, which has caused measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the city of Foshan, who suffered the most violent, patients from Chikungunya should stay in the hospital where their beds will be protected by mosquitoes. They can only be released after they test negative or at the end of a week.

Spread by bite of infected mosquito, the virus causes fever and severe joint pain that can sometimes last for years.

Although rare in China, Chikungunya’s outbreaks are common in Southern and Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.

In addition to Foshan, at least 12 other cities in the Southern Guangdong province reported infections. Almost 3,000 cases were reported only last week.

On Monday, Hong Kong announced his first-case-12-year-old boy who developed a fever, rash and joint pain after traveling to Foshan in July.

The virus is not contagious, and spreads only when the infected man bites the mosquito, which then continues to bite others.

Officials say all the registered cases were still soft: 95% of patients threw themselves over seven days.

However, the cases have led to some panic, given that the virus is not known in the country.

“It’s scary. Prolonged consequences are very painful,” one user wrote on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

The US has called on travelers to China to carry out “high caution” after the outbreak.

Authorities across the province of Guangdong have promised to take “decisive and strong measures” to stop the spread of the disease.

Those who have symptoms such as fever, joint pain or rashes, urge to visit the nearest hospital so that they can check the virus.

Authorities instructed residents to remove stagnant water in their homes, for example, in dust, coffee machines or spare bottles – and warned about $ 10,000 ($ 1400) if they don’t.

They also produce giant “mosquito elephants” that can devour smaller, chikungunya that distribute mistakes; And the army of the fish that uses mosquitoes.

Last week, officials in Foshan released 5,000 of these larvae consumed into the city lakes. In some parts of the city, they even fly drones to discover the sources of stagnant water.

Some neighboring cities have ordered travelers from Foshan to pass 14-day home quarantine, but since then it has been removed.

Some people compare these measures to those who have imposed during a pandemic and question their need.

Weibo user wrote, “They feel like acquaintances … But are they really needed?”

Another wrote: “What is the meaning of quarantine? It is not like an infected patient will walk while biting other people?”

China has implemented serious restrictions during a pandemic, including forcing people into quarantine camps and compacted residential buildings and entire quarters in a day and even weeks.

Most people who have bitten the mosquito will develop symptoms of Chikungunya for three days.

In addition to fever and joint pain, other symptoms include rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints.

In most cases, patients will feel better for a week. However, in severe cases, joint pain can last for months or even years.

Those who are at risk of more serious diseases include newborn, elderly and people with basic medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

There is no treatment, but Chikungunya’s death is rare.

The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952. He then spread to other countries of Africa south and Southeast Asia.

To date, more than 110 countries have been reported.

The best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to reduce stagnant water pools that allow mosquitoes to multiply, the World Health Organization reports.