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Health in China
ChinaPolitics

South China city’s chikungunya outbreak spurs action to stop mosquito-borne disease

Around 1,200 cases of the illness reported in Foshan city in Guangdong province, prompting health alert in nearby Hong Kong

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Chikungunya fever is spread by mosquito bites, and those infected typically develop fever and joint pain that can last for months or even years. Photo: Getty Images
Vanessa Caiin Shanghai
Authorities in south China’s Foshan city have launched a campaign to curb an outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya fever. The disease, which is not common in Guangdong province, has also put neighbouring Hong Kong on alert.

Local authorities in Foshan’s Shunde and Nanhai districts issued notices on Saturday urging all residents and communities to carry out indoor sanitation and outdoor clean-ups over the weekend as mosquito control measures.

The outbreak originated from an imported case detected in Shunde on July 8, according to the local health bureau.

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The number of confirmed cases in Shunde had reached 1,161 as of Friday. Most of the cases were recorded in the towns of Lecong, Beijiao and Chencun, and all the patients had mild symptoms.

Nanhai district has reported 16 confirmed cases, and another district, Chancheng, had reported 22 cases as of Friday.

Authorities in Foshan’s Shunde and Nanhai districts have called for thorough indoor sanitation and outdoor clean-ups. Photo: Weibo/我被安利了
Authorities in Foshan’s Shunde and Nanhai districts have called for thorough indoor sanitation and outdoor clean-ups. Photo: Weibo/我被安利了
Macau, which also borders Guangdong, reported one imported case on Friday. The patient is a resident who had visited Foshan.
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