Chikungunya fever cases reported in Guangzhou

Cases of Chikungunya fever were identified in a community in the Yuexiu district of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday, according to a report from Southcn.com.

Reporters from the Guangzhou-based media outlet learned about the outbreak from the Yangji community residents' committee. However, the number of cases has not yet been revealed.

Three imported cases of Chikungunya fever had previously been identified on Thursday in Yangjiang, a coastal city in western Guangdong province, with no local cases yet reported, according to local disease control and prevention authorities.

"Residents are advised not to panic excessively, but to enhance their awareness of prevention and control with the adoption of scientific mosquito prevention measures," said Li Wenjie, deputy director of Yangjiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cases in Guangzhou and Yangjiang were identified after the recent outbreak in Foshan, Guangdong. As of Thursday, Foshan had reported a total of 3,645 confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever, all of which are described as mild.

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus, transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes. The symptoms typically include fever, severe joint pain and rash.

"We have not yet identified any local cases in Yangjiang, and the overall risk of epidemic importation is under control," said Li, adding that the three affected people are all receiving appropriate treatment and are in stable condition.

"The hot and rainy season has led to increased mosquito activity and a peak period for Chikungunya fever," said Li.

Scientific mosquito prevention and control are crucial in halting the spread of the epidemic, and citizens can take action by eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, clearing stagnant water and protecting themselves from mosquito bites, according to Li.

In Foshan, local authorities have released more than 5,000 mosquito-eating fish babies in some urban lakes and rivers, aiming to reduce mosquito breeding rates by effectively lowering mosquito population density through biological control methods.