China Battles Chikungunya Outbreak With 8,000 Cases, Covid-Style Measures

China is facing its largest chikungunya outbreak since 2008, with nearly 8,000 cases reported in the southern city of Foshan and surrounding Guangdong province in just a few weeks. Authorities have launched aggressive mosquito-control measures, including widespread insecticide spraying, drone surveillance for breeding sites, release of predator mosquitoes and fish, and door-to-door inspections to eliminate stagnant water. Some measures, such as quarantine orders and public health campaigns, have drawn comparisons to China's strict COVID-19 response, sparking some public frustration. The outbreak is attributed to favorable environmental conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, exacerbated by rising global temperatures and wetter weather. Chikungunya, though rarely fatal, causes severe joint pain and fever, and can result in long-term disability; there is currently no cure or licensed vaccine. Meanwhile, travel-related cases have also been detected in South Africa, underscoring the virus's growing global reach and the need for international vigilance.