In Guangdong Foshan, the discovery of the Chikungunya virus has rapidly spread, with cases also found in Macau and Beijing outside the province. The virus has now spread to 12 cities in Guangdong province, with nearly five thousand confirmed cases reported according to the latest official announcement. Local government has launched a “military-style” mosquito eradication campaign, but complaints from the public about faking data have arisen.
The Shunde District Health Bureau of Foshan City first reported the “Chikungunya Fever” outbreak discovered on July 8, with a total of 4824 local cases reported in Guangdong Province by the Guangdong Center for Disease Control and Prevention as of July 27. From July 20 to 26, Guangdong province saw an additional 2940 local cases reported, all of which were mild with no reports of severe or fatal cases.
According to the official reports, confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever have been identified in 12 cities in Guangdong, including 2882 cases in Foshan, 22 in Guangzhou, 18 in Zhongshan, and 3 cases each in Dongguan, Zhuhai, and Heyuan. Jiangmen, Yangjiang, and Zhaoqing each have 2 cases, while Qingyuan, Shenzhen, and Zhanjiang each have 1 case.
Due to the Chinese authorities’ habit of concealing information about outbreaks, the actual number of cases is likely higher than reported.
Previously, on July 25, it was announced that Foshan, Guangdong had designated 53 designated hospitals for treatment, with mosquito repellent isolation beds increased to 7220.
The Chikungunya fever outbreak from Foshan, Guangdong has spilled over to other areas, with the Macau Health Bureau receiving a report of 1 imported case on July 18. The patient was a Macau resident who had visited Shunde District of Foshan from July 8 to 17. On July 22, the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that there have been occasional imported cases to Beijing, but no data has been released by the Beijing authorities.
Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. According to the World Health Organization, Chikungunya fever is caused by the Chikungunya virus, first discovered in Tanzania in 1952. The name of the disease is derived from the Kimakonde language in southern Tanzania, meaning “bent over,” reflecting the severe joint pain experienced by patients.
The disease is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites and presents symptoms similar to dengue fever. Most patients experience mild symptoms such as fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and rash, with recovery usually occurring within 1 to 2 weeks. However, newborns, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses may experience severe complications, even leading to death.
Due to the rapid spread of the Chikungunya virus in Foshan, Guangdong, the local government has initiated a “military-style” mosquito eradication campaign, with some villages requiring the removal of all crops and agricultural tools, clearing of green belts, and even unused land.
On July 24, the Dongcun Group in a local area of Guangdong notified that all crops and agricultural tools must be removed by July 25 and the land leveled.
Some residents have reported that even unused land is included in the cleanup schedule. Green belts nearby are being heavily cleared. Previously overgrown with weeds, they were cleared by nearby residents for farming, but now they are required to be leveled completely. In addition, banners are everywhere, and loudspeakers play promotional messages all day, mandating the collective burning of mosquito coils every night.
On July 23, the Shixuan Village Committee of Beijiao Town, Shunde, Foshan, issued a notice requiring all villagers to burn mosquito coils at home at 6 p.m. The village committee also carried out fumigation.
Videos circulating online show numerous people in red vests forming long lines to “relay” flowerpots to upper floors.
Netizens criticize, saying, “When will this performative work end?” “Are you sure this is for mosquito control? It seems to be about clearing the land to prevent you from planting crops.” “I knew these people would start something again.” “Another campaign is underway.”
Videos show a town-wide mosquito eradication operation in Guangdong on July 25, with workers walking around with fumigation machines, causing thick smoke to fill the air. Netizens commented, “In the end, it’s not the mosquitoes that will bite us to death, but we will be smoked to death by these chemicals.”
A resident of Foshan filmed a scene of numerous mosquito coils being placed in their home.
However, some netizens say, “Doesn’t anyone feel that mosquitoes are particularly fierce this year, even mosquito coils are ineffective?” “The mosquito’s resistance to repellents far exceeds national standards for mosquito coils.” Some netizens also speculate, “Could it be that the profits from mosquito repellent products are too low, leading manufacturers to cut corners?”
Some residents criticize the inadequate mosquito eradication and epidemic prevention efforts by the authorities. On July 20, a resident of Xinlong Village, Lecong Town, Shunde, Foshan, posted online, noting that while the village organized mosquito eradication activities and inspected stagnant water indoors, there were serious issues of falsifying data. A drainage canal in the village accumulated a large amount of black and foul-smelling water, with mosquitoes breeding. Despite multiple reports of the problem, the village committee has yet to take any cleanup measures.