China uses cannibal mosquitoes and fish to combat chikungunya virus

China uses cannibal mosquitoes and fish to combat chikungunya virus, reports The Telegraph.

Chinese authorities have employed unusual methods to contain the country's largest-ever outbreak of the chikungunya virus. In the southern province of Guangdong, more than 7,000 cases have been registered since July 2025 - a record caused by international travel, heat, and heavy rains.

To combat the virus carrier - the Aedes mosquito - predatory elephant mosquitoes (Toxorhynchites), whose larvae eat Aedes larvae, have been released in the city of Foshan. These insects do not feed on blood, which means they do not transmit infections. At the same time, 5,000 fish that also feed on mosquito larvae have been released into water bodies.

In addition to biological methods, authorities are also using "patriotic measures" in the spirit of the "zero COVID" policy: mass elimination of insect breeding sites, home inspections, fines of up to $1,300 for standing water in yards, as well as drones to identify dangerous areas. Infected individuals are instructed to stay under mosquito nets in hospitals, and streets are treated with insecticides.

According to authorities, the number of cases has peaked - 3,000 new cases were identified in the past week alone, but 95% of patients recover within a week.