Measures put in place to curb Chikungunya fever

The southern city of Foshan in Guangdong province has introduced real-name registration requirements for the purchase of fever and pain relief medications in response to a growing outbreak of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Other regions across the country are also rolling out preemptive measures in an effort to contain the spread.

Customers in Foshan, who buy any of 47 designated drugs — including common analgesics such as ibuprofen — must now verify their identity by scanning a QR code, local authorities said, in a move aimed at enabling timely detection of potential infections.

Bai Tao, mayor of Foshan, said at a meeting on Monday that the city would strive to contain the outbreak "in the shortest time possible". He said disinfection work will be carried out in enclosed public spaces such as corridors, garages and elevator shafts during rainfall, and that stagnant water will be cleared promptly after rain to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding sites.

The city reported 194 new confirmed cases on Monday, down from 216 on Sunday, according to local health authorities. Foshan remains the hardest hit city in Guangdong province with at least 12 other cities reporting cases.

Officials in Foshan, Zhongshan and Maoming have stepped up the enforcement of mosquito control measures, penalizing violations that contribute to mosquito breeding. According to local media, a restaurant in Foshan was fined for illegally dumping wastewater, and a kindergarten in Zhongshan was warned after inspectors found stagnant water containing mosquito larvae. Property managers at 13 residential complexes were cited for failing to clear drains and install mosquito barriers.

Outside Guangdong, several cities in Fujian province have issued health alerts for travelers returning from affected areas. Authorities in Fuzhou and Quanzhou have mandated 14-day self-monitoring for symptoms such as fever, joint pain and skin rashes. Individuals experiencing such symptoms are advised to seek medical attention and self-isolate to prevent further spread, the provincial disease control center said.

In Jiangsu province, the Nanjing Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a mosquito control advisory as the city enters its peak season for mosquito-borne illnesses. With hot and wet conditions creating ideal mosquito breeding environments, health authorities warned of heightened transmission risks for both dengue and Chikungunya fevers.

The advisory called for weekly household inspections, with a focus on courtyards, balconies and drainage systems. Community clean-up operations should emphasize removing waste, sealing construction sites and maintaining water infrastructure. Special attention should also be given to decorative water features and plant containers, authorities said.

In Gulin county, Sichuan province, health authorities held a special training session on Thursday to improve preparedness for Chikungunya fever prevention and control. Two hospitals have been designated as county-level treatment centers, and an expert group has been established to guide clinical response. All medical institutions in the county have been instructed to set up isolation wards, stock emergency supplies and prepare for potential outbreaks.

Yang Song, deputy director of the infectious diseases department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses require special attention, though the public should not panic.

"Symptoms of Chikungunya include fever, swelling and pain in the ankles and knuckles, and rash," he said. "Unlike dengue fever, general blood routine indicators do not show significant abnormalities."

He advised patients to rest and maintain a nutritious diet. If fever persists for more than a week, patients should be monitored for possible complications involving the heart or nervous system.

Yang added that while current control measures are appropriate, vaccines could become an option for prevention depending on the disease's spread and cost-effectiveness. China currently has no approved vaccine for Chikungunya, according to a previous briefing by the National Health Commission.