Health authorities in southern China have declared a public health emergency after a surge in Chikungunya fever cases in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, with more than 1,700 people infected.

According to state media reports, Jiangmen officials confirmed 1,714 infections as of Friday, prompting the city to trigger a Level III emergency response, which allows for enhanced disease surveillance, vector control measures, and rapid medical mobilization.

At a Saturday press conference, local health authorities reassured the public that all cases reported so far are mild, with no severe or fatal cases recorded. Patients are being treated with supportive care, focusing on hydration, rest, and medication to manage fever and joint pain.

Chikungunya fever — first identified in Tanzania in 1952 — is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same species responsible for spreading dengue and Zika viruses.

Typical symptoms of Chikungunya fever include a sudden onset of high fever, severe joint pain and swelling, headaches, muscle pain, and a skin rash.

While rarely fatal, the illness can be extremely debilitating, with joint pain sometimes lasting for weeks or months. Newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of complications.

Health authorities in Jiangmen are now intensifying mosquito control efforts, including fumigation campaigns, elimination of stagnant water, and public education campaigns urging residents to use insect repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, and install window screens.

Epidemiologists warn that Guangdong’s warm, humid climate creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of Chikungunya outbreaks as well as dengue fever, which is also prevalent in the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been notified of the outbreak and is closely monitoring the situation. Experts note that while the current outbreak remains localized, the risk of further spread exists if mosquito populations are not brought under control. (ILKHA)