Beijing issues health advisory for chikungunya fever risk

The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory on Tuesday following a small number of recent imported cases of chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease.

The disease is caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and transmitted through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

In Beijing, the primary species of concern is Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the tiger mosquito due to its black-and-white stripes. It can also transmit the dengue and Zika viruses.

These mosquitoes are active during the day, with peak biting hours between 6 and 8 am and 5 and 7 pm. They primarily breed in small and clear water bodies, according to the Beijing CDC.

While the disease primarily circulates in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and parts of Africa, increasing global travel has raised the risk of imported infections. Since 2010, imported cases of chikungunya fever have been found in China, it added.

On Sunday, the local health authorities in Foshan, Guangdong province, reported 1,873 local cases following an imported case in Shunde district on July 8. All cases are mild.

In response, the local government activated an emergency response plan that established a command headquarters for prevention and control.

Chikungunya fever typically causes fever and joint pain, which may persist for months or years. Severe cases can occur in high-risk groups, such as infants and seniors aged 65 and above.

The best way to prevent CHIKV infection is to avoid mosquito bites. The Beijing CDC urges residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and use biological, physical, and chemical control methods appropriately.