If you’re planning a trip to China or if you’re prone to getting bitten by mosquitos, you need to know about the current mosquito-borne outbreak in China,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning travelers that there is currently a virus being transmitted by mosquitos in the Guangdong province of China. The virus is called chikungunya, and while not deadly, it is very uncomfortable.
Symptoms of chikungunya include rash, fever, headache, swelling and notable muscle aches that can be pretty painful. The bad news is that this is that there is no treatment, but the good news is that the virus is not fatal. Most people develop symptoms 3 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and most people recover in about a week. However, in some cases, it can take months or years to fully recover.
More good news is that the virus is not transmitted from person to person, but it can be transmitted from mosquito to person and person to mosquito. That means that if someone is bitten by an infected mosquito and another mosquito bites that person, the second mosquito also becomes a carrier for the virus. This is especially worth noting when it comes to travel.
If someone travels to China and gets bitten by an infected mosquito but doesn’t develop symptoms and later leaves China, flying to another country, if that that same person gets bitten by another mosquito in another country, this new mosquito now becomes a carrier for the virus and can pass it to other people.
Thankfully, so far the cases in China have been mild. NBC News reports that of the 2,940 cases that were reported in China from July 20th to 26th, none of the cases resulted in severe illness or death.
There are two approved vaccines for chikungunya in the United States, and it is recommended to get vaccinated if you plan to travel to China. It is also a good idea to see insect repellant and to wear protective clothing.
Watch the video below for more details about the chikungunya outbreak in China.
