CDC issues travel alert as chikungunya outbreak surges in China
By Ryan General
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel alert on Aug. 14 warning of an “elevated risk” of chikungunya virus exposure in China’s Guangdong province.
- About the virus: The mosquito-borne virus causes high fever, rash and severe joint pain and is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. First identified in 1952 in southern Tanzania, chikungunya is a regular presence in Asia, Africa and the Americas, but this is the first major outbreak recorded in China. Chinese health officials report over 7,000 confirmed cases since June, with the majority in Foshan city.
- China’s outbreak response: Authorities in China have rolled out large-scale control measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Actions include home inspections, mass fumigation by drones and ground teams, isolation of patients under mosquito nets and the release of mosquito-eating fish and larger predatory mosquitoes. Residents who fail to remove standing water face penalties such as fines or temporary power cuts. Reports of unannounced home visits and blood sampling have fueled debate over privacy and the limits of state authority.
- Spreading beyond borders: The CDC’s advisory also applies to Bolivia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and several Indian Ocean territories, urging travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” to reduce the risk of infection. Globally, chikungunya has been reported in 16 countries and territories in 2025, with more than 240,000 cases and 90 deaths. In Asia, the virus has spread to countries including India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius, while Taiwan confirmed its first imported case from Foshan in early August. Older adults, newborns infected around the time of birth and people with conditions such as diabetes or heart disease face the highest risk of severe illness.
- Vaccination and prevention efforts: Two chikungunya vaccines, Ixchiq and Vimkunya, are approved for use in the United States and European Union. The CDC recommends vaccination for travelers heading to outbreak zones and stresses preventive measures such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants and staying in screened or air-conditioned areas. There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya, and care focuses on relieving symptoms while the body recovers.
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