Chikungunya virus breaks out in China as country responds with 'forceful pandemic measures'

China has vowed to take 'forceful and decisive measures' after more than 7,000 cases of the chikungunya virus have been reported in the Guangdong province since July.

Cases of the virus have been reported across the Guangdong area of southern China, with Foshan having been hit the hardest.

Nearly 3,000 cases were reported in the last week alone, according to the BBC.

Aside from Foshan, 12 other cities in Guangdong have also reported cases of the virus, and Hong Kong reported its first case on Monday (4 August) after a 12-year-old boy developed symptoms, like a fever and rash, after travelling to Foshan.

Chinese authorities have since responded to the cases with numerous measures, similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep the virus at bay.

What is the chikungunya virus?

The cases of the virus have spiked in southern China (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

The chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

Outbreaks of the virus are more common in parts of South and South East Asia, as well as Africa.

The BBC says it has been reported in 110 countries.

What are the symptoms of the chikungunya virus?

The main symptoms of the virus are fever and joint pain that usually appear within a week of being bitten.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other signs include headaches, muscle swelling, or a rash.

However, in most cases, patients tend to feel better within a week. The virus cannot be passed from person to person and can only be spread when an infected mosquito bites multiple people.

Those considered to be at a higher risk are the elderly and babies, alongside anyone with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.

Although rarely fatal, subsequent joint pain has been known to last for years after infection in some patients.

What is the response from Chinese authorities?

Locals are being forced to throw out stagnant water from their homes (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

While around 95 per cent of cases have been mild, Guangdong authorities have said they will take 'decisive and forceful measures' to contain the outbreak.

Patients in Foshan are being forced to stay in the hospital with mosquito nets around their beds until they test negative or reach seven days after initial infection.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of the chikungunya virus is also encouraged to visit a hospital for testing.

Locals are being warned to remove any stagnant water from their homes, such as coffee machines or flower pots or risk being fined up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) if they don't comply.

Meanwhile, authorities are planning to release huge 'elephant mosquitoes' that will eat smaller chikungunya-spreading bugs, while also introducing 'an army of mosquito-eating fish'.

The country is taking pandemic-like measures (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Around 5,000 larvae-eating dishes were released into lakes around Foshan after officials used drones to detect stagnant water.

Several neighbouring cities have even gone as far as introducing a 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling from Foshan, but these have since been revoked, the BBC reports.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are two vaccines for the virus that have received regulatory approval in several countries; however, they aren't widely available for widespread use.

There are also no antiviral treatments for the virus, but pain medication is recommended to alleviate pain symptoms.