The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a travel advisory for Americans heading to China, citing a surge in chikungunya virus infections in the country’s southern provinces. The mosquito-borne disease—rare in China until now—has infected more than 7,000 people since late June, with the manufacturing hub of Foshan, near Hong Kong, emerging as the outbreak’s epicenter, writes The Washington Post.
The CDC’s Level 2 alert, labeled “Practice Enhanced Precautions,” recommends that travelers protect themselves with EPA-approved insect repellents, wear long sleeves, and stay in mosquito-proof lodging. Though a vaccine exists, global supplies remain limited, and access in China is especially constrained.
The outbreak has raised concerns among international health officials, some of whom have drawn comparisons to the country’s early COVID-era containment measures. Chinese authorities have rolled out aggressive vector-control efforts, including fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) for residents who fail to eliminate standing water. Drones are now used to monitor potential mosquito breeding sites, while biological tactics—like releasing predatory “elephant mosquitoes” and introducing larvae-eating fish—have been deployed to stem the spread.
First identified in East Africa in 1952, chikungunya typically causes high fever and intense joint pain, with symptoms lasting a week in most cases. But in severe infections, especially among the elderly, newborns, and individuals with preexisting conditions, joint pain can linger for months or even years. The global toll for 2025 stands at more than 240,000 confirmed cases and 90 deaths across 16 nations.
“The CDC is aware of the reported chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong Province and is currently assessing the size and extent of the outbreak,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement. Health officials are particularly concerned about the potential for infected travelers to seed new outbreaks in regions previously untouched by the virus.
The warning comes as several other countries—including Brazil, Kenya, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines—grapple with rising case counts of their own. The CDC’s alert extends to these high-risk destinations, advising travelers to take similar precautions and consult with a healthcare provider about potential vaccination prior to departure.
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Another Wuhan scare??
Enough been doing this since 2019+