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.
Because the starting of 2025, there have been roughly 240,000 chikungunya virus infections and 90 deaths in 16 nations, in response to the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC).
In China, an outbreak has infected roughly 7,000 individuals since late June, with most circumstances 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 concerning the illness and the way it’s spreading.
What’s the chikungunya virus?
Chikungunya is a viral illness that’s unfold by means of 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 grow to be contorted”.
Usually, sufferers will really feel higher inside per week. In lots of circumstances, nevertheless, the joint ache can final for months and even years.
There isn’t a treatment for the chikungunya virus, however deaths are uncommon. If an contaminated mosquito bites a wholesome human, it injects the virus into the bloodstream.
Individuals most liable to critical sickness from chikungunya embody newborns, older adults and people with present well being issues akin to coronary heart illness or diabetes.
There isn’t a treatment for the chikungunya virus, however the loss of life fee 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 particular person’s blood and turns into a service able to transmitting the virus to others by means of bites.
How unhealthy is the present unfold of the virus?
In response to the World Well being Group (WHO), the present surge in circumstances 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 circumstances of chikungunya and 12 related deaths have been reported as much as Could 2025, with sustained excessive transmission throughout the island, in response to the WHO. The ECDC additionally studies that as of July 18, there have been greater than 54,000 circumstances reported from La Reunion.
That is now probably the most critical chikungunya outbreak in La Reunion for the reason that 2005–2006 epidemic, which noticed an estimated 244,000 to greater than 300,000 circumstances, and prompted large-scale public well being efforts to regulate mosquito breeding and restrict transmission.
The virus has additionally unfold to different nations, 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 circumstances since July.
The WHO has additionally raised considerations concerning the rising variety of imported chikungunya circumstances in Europe. Since Could 1, about 800 imported circumstances have been reported in mainland France.
In response to the ECDC, the Americas as a area have reported the very best variety of chikungunya circumstances globally. As of mid-July 2025, the nations with probably the most circumstances within the area embody Brazil (185,553), Bolivia (4,721), Argentina (2,836) and Peru (55).
In China, infections have been reported in a minimum of 12 cities throughout southern Guangdong province, along with Foshan.
Chinese language authorities stated that an “imported case triggered native transmission” in July, however didn’t specify the place the an infection originated. In response to 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 nations combating the unfold?
In response to 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 search out locations the place mosquitoes are breeding. On the similar 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 necessary position in stopping the outbreak.
In response to 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 could end in fines of as much as 10,000 yuan (roughly $1,400), and in additional critical circumstances, individuals might face felony fees for “obstructing the prevention of infectious illnesses”.
Citing native sources, The New York Occasions stated that in some cases, 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 selection however to hunt remedy at their very own expense.
In different places, 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 embody elevated surveillance in border cities and inspiring individuals to make studies by means of apps akin to Mosquito Alert.
How can chikungunya be prevented and handled?
Well being authorities advise defending oneself towards mosquito bites as the simplest technique towards the unfold of chikungunya.
This will 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 open air.
Whereas there are not any particular medicines to deal with the virus, relaxation, fluids and ache relievers could assist alleviate signs, in response to the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Nevertheless, some ache relievers could also be unsafe throughout a suspected an infection. The CDC recommends avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs) till dengue is dominated out, as they’ll elevate the chance of bleeding.
