The Spread of Chikungunya in China and Global Concerns
Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that has led to strict quarantine measures and travel restrictions in China, is now spreading to new regions. This week, Taiwan reported its first confirmed case of the virus, marking a significant development in the ongoing outbreak.
The virus was identified in a woman from Taiwan who had recently traveled from Foshan, a city in Guangdong Province that has become the epicenter of the current outbreak. She returned to Taiwan on July 30, raising concerns about the potential spread of the virus beyond China’s borders.
Over the past week, at least 12 other cities in Guangdong have reported cases of chikungunya, with approximately 3,000 new infections recorded. This has brought the total number of cases in the country to over 10,000. Experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the virus continues to spread rapidly.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong Province, urging Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the region. Despite these warnings, some experts believe the virus may already be present in the United States.
Dr. Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher based in Nevada, warned that the outbreak in China is highly concerning. She stated that the virus could already be in the U.S., emphasizing that it only takes one plane flight to bring it into the country.
Understanding Chikungunya
Chikungunya is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are also responsible for spreading dengue and Zika viruses. While the illness is rarely fatal, it can cause severe symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and in extreme cases, complications involving the heart and brain.
Roger Hewson, a virus surveillance lead at the UK’s Wellcome Sanger Institute, described the current outbreak in China as the largest ever recorded. Al Jazeera reported that a global spike in cases began in early 2025, with major outbreaks occurring in the Indian Ocean islands of La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, around 240,000 chikungunya cases and 90 related deaths have been reported across 16 countries as of August 4. The virus has also spread to Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya, and India, and is making its way toward Europe.
In addition to these regions, case counts have been rising in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Kiribati. As of August 5, the U.S. CDC reported 46 cases of chikungunya in the U.S. this year, all contracted by travelers returning from high-risk areas. No deaths have been recorded.
Global Response and Travel Warnings
Experts estimate that 1.6 million people travel between the U.S. and China every year, increasing the risk of the virus spreading through infected travelers. The CDC has issued an elevated risk notice for several countries, including Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and now China.
The agency has also issued warnings for nine other countries, including Bolivia and Sri Lanka. In the U.S., there have been limited instances of local transmission, most recently in 2014 and 2015 after cases were detected in Florida and Texas.
Infections are most common in Asia, Africa, and South America, but recent cases have also emerged in Europe and the U.S. During a major outbreak between 2004 and 2005, nearly half a million people were infected, with the virus spreading across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer with the World Health Organization, recently warned that “we are seeing history repeating itself,” referencing the scale of the earlier epidemic.
Preventive Measures and Public Health Efforts
To protect against chikungunya, travelers are advised to use insect repellent, wear long clothing, and stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodations to avoid mosquito bites. Those experiencing fevers, joint pain, or rashes should seek medical attention for testing.
In response to the outbreak, Chinese officials have implemented measures to control the spread of the virus. Travelers from Foshan were required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, similar to previous Covid-19 restrictions. However, this measure has since been lifted.
Infected patients are isolated in hospital wards and covered with mosquito nets. They must remain in isolation for at least a week or until they test negative. Authorities have also been spraying disinfectant in city streets, residential areas, and construction sites where mosquitoes may breed.
Drones are being used to identify and eliminate breeding grounds, while residents are encouraged to empty containers that collect water. Non-compliance with these measures may result in fines of up to $1,400 (10,000 Yuan), and electricity can be cut off in extreme cases.
Long-Term Effects and Vulnerable Populations
The acute phase of the illness typically lasts one to two weeks, but joint pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years in some cases. Newborns, seniors over 65, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious complications, including cardiovascular issues and, in some studies, Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure triggered by post-viral inflammation.
Importantly, chikungunya cannot be transmitted directly from person to person. Instead, it spreads when a mosquito bites an infected individual and then transmits the virus to another person. Pregnant women who contract the virus near the time of delivery can pass it to their babies during childbirth, potentially causing severe illness in newborns.
There is currently no antiviral treatment for chikungunya, but symptoms can be managed with rest, hydration, and pain relief medications such as acetaminophen.