Nearly 3,000 cases per week! Chikungunya fever, which causes severe joint pain, is on the rise in Guangdong. How is it transmitted? What preventive measures should be taken?

On July 23, Duan Leilei, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated at a press conference held by the National Health Commission: There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of chikungunya fever.

So how did chikungunya fever, which is not transmitted from person to person, give rise to local outbreaks?

The main sources of infection for chikungunya fever are infected animal hosts and human patients, and transmission occurs primarily through… Transmission to humans occurs through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes carrying the chikungunya virus. . The virus primarily exists as “ Human–Mosquito–Human The virus circulates in this manner: following infection with chikungunya virus, humans develop high‑titer viremia within 2–5 days. When an Aedes mosquito bites an infected individual, it can become infected; if that mosquito subsequently bites another person, it may transmit the virus.

Chikungunya fever is caused by Transmission by Aedes mosquitoes For such diseases, preventing mosquito-borne infections hinges on mosquito control and prevention. Moreover, the reproduction of Aedes mosquitoes is inseparable from standing water. Therefore, the key to preventing chikungunya lies in… Eliminate adult mosquitoes, remove standing water, and prevent bites. 。

Eliminate adult mosquitoes At home, you can use various household mosquito-control products, such as electric mosquito coils, mosquito-eliminating tablets, or mosquito-spray cans, to get rid of mosquitoes.

Drain standing water Aedes mosquitoes typically lay their eggs and breed larvae in various small, stagnant water containers. In domestic settings, common breeding sites include containers used to cultivate aquatic plants—such as aglaonema, lucky bamboo, and pothos—as well as saucers beneath flower pots and any receptacles that collect rainwater on rooftops. Outdoors, the primary breeding habitats are similar—any container holding standing water. By turning over pots and emptying containers to eliminate all sources of standing water, you can effectively remove mosquito breeding grounds and thereby reduce their proliferation.

Insect bite prevention . Install screen doors and windows in residential homes, and use mosquito nets when sleeping; when engaging in outdoor activities, it is recommended to wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and pants, and apply insect repellent.

In addition, if an individual develops high fever, severe joint pain, or a rash—particularly if they have… Individuals with a history of mosquito bites or travel to or residence in endemic areas should seek medical attention immediately.