In the Chinese province of Guangdong, over 7,000 cases of Chikungunya virus infection have been registered since July this year. Local authorities have implemented measures similar to those taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to curb the spread of the virus, reports Baltimore Chronicle. The epicenter of the new infection is the city of Foshan, with a population of ten million, where patients are kept in hospitals on beds covered with mosquito nets. They remain under observation for a week or until the virus is no longer detectable in their tests.
Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus causes fever and severe joint pain, and the symptoms may sometimes last for up to a year. However, unlike other infections, the virus is not transmitted from person to person but only through the bite of an infected mosquito. To get infected, a person must be bitten by a mosquito that previously bit an infected individual. According to Chinese authorities, all reported cases of Chikungunya so far have been mild, and 95% of patients are discharged within a week after hospitalization.
Given the importance of preventive measures, local authorities are working actively to prevent further spread of the infection by eliminating mosquito breeding sites and educating the public on the need to wear protective clothing and use insect repellents. Since the virus may remain in the bloodstream for some time, experts recommend avoiding staying in areas with high mosquito activity.
Earlier we wrote that China initiates creation of international organization for AI regulation.
