New Delhi: After the COVID-19 epidemic in China, now Chikungunya has wreaked havoc. There is no place to stand in the hospitals of Foshan city in South China.
A large number of people are sick and are waiting for their turn for treatment in hospitals. The Chinese Ministry of Health has launched a big campaign to save people from the outbreak of Chikungunya fever. The big thing is that this disease is not common in China’s Guangdong province. Chikungunya has also put neighbouring Hong Kong on alert.
What do Chinese authorities say?
According to the South China Morning Post report, local authorities in Foshan’s Shunde and Nanhai districts issued a notice on Saturday, July 19 urging all residents and communities to clean indoors and outdoors as mosquito control measures over the weekend. According to the local health bureau, the outbreak began with an external case found in Shunde on July 8.
How many people suffer from chikungunya?
The number of confirmed cases in Shunde reached 1,161 as of Friday, July 18. Most of the cases were reported in the towns of Lecong, Beijiao and Chencun, and all patients had mild symptoms. As of Friday, 16 confirmed cases had been reported in Nanhai district, and another district, Chancheng, had 22 cases. An imported case was reported on Friday in Macau, which borders Guangdong. The patient is a resident who had visited Foshan.
How does chikungunya spread?
Chikungunya fever is spread by mosquito bites. Infected people usually have fever and joint pains that can last for months or years. Other possible symptoms include muscle pain, nausea and rashes. The word chikungunya comes from the East African language Kimakonde and means “to be deformed”. It is used to describe the hunched appearance of infected patients suffering from joint pain.
People asked to be cautious
Saturday’s notice urged the public to be vigilant against the disease, noting that “the risk of personal infection is constantly increasing.” “Mosquito prevention and control are the most economical and effective basic measures to combat mosquito-borne diseases,” the statement said.
Suggested measures
The suggested measures include removing stagnant water in the house and outdoor spaces, cleaning household drains and containers, and thorough cleaning of the house to eliminate mosquito habitats. Locals have also been advised to clear water from courtyards and roofs. The notice called for more personal protective measures, including the use of mosquito nets and insect repellent sprays.