United States well being officers are urging travellers to remain vigilant as a mosquito-borne virus continues to flow into throughout components of Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Indian Ocean.
For the reason that starting of 2025, there have been roughly 240,000 chikungunya virus infections and 90 deaths in 16 international locations, in accordance with the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC).
In China, an outbreak has infected roughly 7,000 folks since late June, with most instances concentrated within the metropolis of Foshan, in Guangdong province, simply north of Hong Kong. This marks the nation’s largest chikungunya outbreak for the reason that virus was first recognized there in 2008.
Here’s what we all know in regards to the illness and the way it’s spreading.
What’s the chikungunya virus?
Chikungunya is a viral illness that’s unfold via the chunk of contaminated Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes additionally carry and unfold dengue, yellow fever and the Zika virus.
The title, chikungunya, derives from a phrase within the Kimakonde language, spoken in Tanzania and Mozambique, which means “to change into contorted”.
Normally, sufferers will really feel higher inside per week. In lots of instances, nonetheless, the joint ache can final for months and even years.
There is no such thing as a remedy for the chikungunya virus, however deaths are uncommon. If an contaminated mosquito bites a wholesome human, it injects the virus into the bloodstream.
Folks most liable to severe sickness from chikungunya embrace newborns, older adults and people with current well being issues akin to coronary heart illness or diabetes.
There is no such thing as a remedy for the chikungunya virus, however the dying price is low, besides in high-risk populations.
If an contaminated mosquito bites a wholesome human, it injects the virus into the bloodstream. If a non-infected mosquito bites an individual who’s already contaminated, it sucks the virus from that individual’s blood and turns into a service able to transmitting the virus to others via bites.
How dangerous is the present unfold of the virus?
In line with the World Well being Group (WHO), the present surge in instances started in early 2025, with main outbreaks in Indian Ocean Islands, together with La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius.
In La Reunion, greater than 47,500 instances of chikungunya and 12 related deaths have been reported as much as Might 2025, with sustained excessive transmission throughout the island, in accordance with the WHO. The ECDC additionally studies that as of July 18, there have been greater than 54,000 instances reported from La Reunion.
That is now essentially the most severe chikungunya outbreak in La Reunion for the reason that 2005–2006 epidemic, which noticed an estimated 244,000 to greater than 300,000 instances, and prompted large-scale public well being efforts to manage mosquito breeding and restrict transmission.
The virus has additionally unfold to different international locations, together with Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has proven indicators of epidemic-level transmission in components of Southeast Asia, in addition to India, the place monetary capital Mumbai has seen a surge in instances since July.
The WHO has additionally raised considerations in regards to the rising variety of imported chikungunya instances in Europe. Since Might 1, about 800 imported instances have been reported in mainland France.
In line with the ECDC, the Americas as a area have reported the best variety of chikungunya instances globally. As of mid-July 2025, the international locations with essentially the most instances within the area embrace Brazil (185,553), Bolivia (4,721), Argentina (2,836) and Peru (55).
In China, infections have been reported in no less than 12 cities throughout southern Guangdong province, along with Foshan.
Chinese language authorities mentioned that an “imported case triggered native transmission” in July, however didn’t specify the place the an infection originated. In line with specialists, rising world temperatures have led to hotter and wetter climate, permitting mosquitoes to thrive.
Individually, on Saturday, Hong Kong confirmed its first case of chikungunya: a 12-year-old boy who developed a fever, rash and joint ache since July 31, after visiting Foshan. This was the territory’s first case of the virus in six years.
How are China and different international locations combating the unfold?
In line with a Bloomberg information report, China has promised to take swift and decisive motion to comprise the unfold of the chikungunya virus.
Drones are getting used to seek out locations the place mosquitoes are breeding. On the identical time, scientists are releasing giant “elephant mosquitoes” – about 2cm (0.8 inches) lengthy – whose larvae eat the smaller mosquitoes that unfold the virus. Well being specialists hope these mosquito helpers will play an essential position in stopping the outbreak.
In line with a report by the BBC, residents of affected areas in China have been ordered to get rid of standing water in and round their properties – together with in flowerpots, espresso machines and empty bottles. Noncompliance might lead to fines of as much as 10,000 yuan (roughly $1,400), and in additional severe instances, folks may face felony expenses for “obstructing the prevention of infectious illnesses”.
Citing native sources, The New York Occasions mentioned that in some situations, contaminated residents in Foshan are being moved to “quarantine wards”, the place they’re stored behind mosquito nets and screens. Some sufferers additionally say they got no alternative however to hunt remedy at their very own expense.
Elsewhere, akin to La Reunion and Mayotte, authorities have additionally launched enhanced surveillance, mosquito management initiatives and focused vaccination efforts.
The Basque Nation in Spain activated preventive protocols after a case was detected in Hendaye, simply throughout the border in France. The protocols embrace elevated surveillance in border cities and inspiring folks to make studies via apps akin to Mosquito Alert.
How can chikungunya be prevented and handled?
Well being authorities advise defending oneself in opposition to mosquito bites as the simplest technique in opposition to the unfold of chikungunya.
This will likely contain sporting lengthy sleeves and trousers, making use of mosquito repellents, eradicating our bodies of standing water the place mosquitoes can breed, and staying in closed, air-conditioned areas indoors or behind mosquito netting when outside.
Whereas there are not any particular medicines to deal with the virus, relaxation, fluids and ache relievers might assist alleviate signs, in accordance with the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Nonetheless, some ache relievers could also be unsafe throughout a suspected an infection. The CDC recommends avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) till dengue is dominated out, as they will increase the chance of bleeding.
