The Shunde District of Foshan City in Guangdong Province has confirmed 478 cases of chikungunya fever in its first locally transmitted outbreak, according to the local health authority's official WeChat account. The outbreak, traced to an imported case detected on July 8, has primarily affected three towns—Lecong, Beijiao, and Chencun—with all patients currently showing only mild symptoms.
Health officials are urging residents to take immediate preventive measures against this mosquito-borne illness, which shares clinical similarities with dengue fever, including fever, rash, and severe joint pain. The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, commonly known as tiger mosquitoes, with an incubation period typically lasting 3-7 days.
With no effective vaccine or specific treatment available, authorities emphasize source reduction as the key control strategy. Residents are advised to regularly remove standing water where mosquitoes breed, use insect repellent, and install window screens to prevent mosquito bites. The timing of the outbreak coincides with peak summer travel season, prompting additional warnings for international travelers to check health advisories and take precautions against mosquito bites.
This represents Guangdong's most significant chikungunya cluster in four years, testing the region's capacity to control vector-borne diseases during periods of high mosquito activity. Health services have been placed on alert to identify potential cases among recent travelers, with instructions to report any patients showing symptoms within 12 days of international travel. The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities work to contain further spread.
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