A dangerous virus is spreading in China

Chinese doctors have recorded 3,181 new cases of Chikungunya virus infection in China's southern province of Guangdong. According to the regional center for disease control and prevention, the infected individuals were identified between September 28 and October 4, reports TASS.

The vast majority of cases - 2,480 - were diagnosed in Jiangmen city, 157 in Foshan, 138 in Guangzhou, and 101 in Zhaoqing. In other settlements, the weekly increase in cases was less than 100. Starting from this reporting period, asymptomatic cases are also included in the statistics.

The carriers of Chikungunya are mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. From September 21 to 27, 3,153 cases of infection with this virus were detected in Guangdong, and from September 14 to 20 - 2,426 cases. The fight against the spread of the fever is complicated by frequent typhoons in the region. Heavy rains and constant humidity provide a favorable environment for mosquito breeding.

The urban district of Jiangmen, with a population of about 5 million people, has implemented a level three health response due to Chikungunya fever. China operates a four-tier health emergency response system, where level one is the highest. Level three (relatively high) is implemented when a disease outbreak occurs at the city level.

Medicine currently has neither a cure nor a vaccine for Chikungunya. The incubation period usually ranges from 3 to 12 days. Infected individuals develop fever, chills, back and joint pain, and rash.