ealth officials are urging California residents planning to travel to southern China to take precautions after a fast-spreading outbreak of the chikungunya virus has infected over 7,000 people across at least 13 cities in China’s Guangdong province.
What’s Happening in China
The mosquito-borne virus first appeared in early July in Foshan, a manufacturing hub near Hong Kong, and has spread quickly. Nearly 3,000 new cases were reported just in the past week, according to international health agencies.
China has launched aggressive prevention measures:
- Hospitalizing all confirmed patients under mosquito nets until they test negative.
- Spraying pesticides across cities.
- Deploying drones to find mosquito breeding sites.
- Fining or even cutting electricity to households that refuse inspections.
- Releasing mosquito-eating fish and even larger “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on virus carriers.
What Is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is not spread person-to-person. Instead, it’s transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito — the same type that spreads dengue and Zika.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Severe joint pain (can last for months)
- Headache
- Rash
- Fatigue
While most people recover in one to two weeks, the joint pain can be debilitating for months or even years. Severe cases are more common in older adults, newborns, and people with preexisting health conditions.
Why Californians Should Care
Although local spread of chikungunya has not been reported in the United States since 2019, travel-related cases are increasing.
California — with its busy airports and year-round mosquito season in some areas — is considered vulnerable to imported cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong, recommending:
- Get vaccinated before traveling (two vaccines are approved in the U.S.).
- Wear long sleeves and pants in mosquito-prone areas.
- Use EPA-approved mosquito repellents.
- Avoid areas with standing water.
Travel Advisory for California Residents
If you have plans to visit southern China, Hong Kong, or nearby regions:
- Check the latest CDC travel notices.
- Consider getting the chikungunya vaccine.
- Take strict mosquito bite prevention measures.
And if you return to California feeling sick — especially with fever and joint pain — see a doctor immediately and mention your travel history.
