In Guangdong’s Foshan, the outbreak of Chikungunya fever continues to spread. The authorities in Beijing recently held a national meeting to initiate a mosquito eradication campaign in response to the situation. Local officials in Foshan have escalated their epidemic prevention measures, reinstating nucleic acid screening and causing panic among the public.
On July 29, the Chinese Communist Party convened a national teleconference on the prevention and control of Chikungunya fever outbreak in Beijing. State media reported that the meeting emphasized “preventing the overflow and spread of the epidemic and the entry of cases from overseas” and called for efforts to “strengthen environmental hygiene improvement and eliminate mosquito breeding sites” through effective mosquito control measures.
In early July, Foshan’s Shunde district in Guangdong province was the first to report a local outbreak of Chikungunya fever transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. According to reports from Sina, as of July 29, Foshan in Guangdong has recorded over 6,000 cases of Chikungunya fever. The epidemic had spread to Macau and Beijing a few days prior.
During the recent national teleconference on the prevention and control of Chikungunya fever, there was no mention of whether the epidemic had spread to more areas outside Guangdong.
According to an official announcement from Foshan on July 30, the city has activated a Level III response to public health emergencies in response to the current situation of Chikungunya fever outbreak.
Under the official response system, there are four levels: Level I (particularly significant), Level II (major), Level III (significant), and Level IV (general).
The Foshan authorities stated that “if there are a significant number of new Chikungunya fever cases over a period of time, the government will follow procedures to determine the appropriate response level.”
Chikungunya fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The symptoms are similar to dengue fever, with most patients experiencing mild symptoms such as fever, joint pain, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and rash, typically recovering within 1-2 weeks. However, newborns, elderly individuals, and those with chronic illnesses may experience severe complications, including fatalities.
Videos circulating online show that nucleic acid testing has been reintroduced in various parts of Guangdong, with residents queuing up for blood tests and epidemic prevention personnel spraying disinfectant fog in the area.
Residents from Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan, confirmed to “Red Star News” that they had received notices for a three-day period from July 29 to 31 to undergo nucleic acid screening for Chikungunya fever virus.
The notice advises individuals with symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain, or those who have been exposed to Chikungunya fever patients at any given time or have been bitten by mosquitoes, to immediately visit community health service stations or screening points for nucleic acid testing.
On July 30, the Sandian Village Community Public Account in Lecong Town also issued a notification for the implementation of free nucleic acid screening for Chikungunya fever virus across the entire town. The notice emphasized the urgency of detecting potential Chikungunya virus carriers promptly to achieve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
The official reinstatement of nucleic acid screening as a prevention measure has prompted widespread concern among residents, with some questioning if there will be a city lockdown.
Many netizens have shared their experiences through videos. One individual, infected with Chikungunya fever in Foshan, posted a video stating that they were tested at the Longjiang Hospital in Shunde and were forcibly kept there without permission to leave.
Another netizen shared a video saying that they have been in isolation for four days, with medical and care staff on duty around the clock. The video showed security guards on-site at the isolation facility.