A New Virus Disturbing China Alerts the United States

Chikungunya Outbreaks Prompt CDC Warnings for Travelers

The viral disease chikungunya, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has now reached China as well as several countries in Africa and Europe. This development has led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue travel warnings for U.S. citizens.

Per the CDC, certain regions—including parts of South Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America—are now marked as “at-risk” areas for Americans planning to travel. This year alone, there have been approximately 240,000 reported cases globally, with Guangdong Province in China becoming a notable hotspot, registering around 7,000 confirmed infections.

“Severe symptoms and fatalities from chikungunya are uncommon and typically affect infants and elderly individuals with preexisting health concerns,” states the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus often manifests as a sudden fever that usually comes with intense joint pain. While the discomfort may last for several days, it can, in some cases, persist for weeks or even longer.

According to the CDC, there haven’t been any recorded cases of chikungunya in the U.S. since 2019, as the virus primarily spreads through mosquitoes in tropical climates. Although it’s not contagious from person to person, the CDC mentions that many countries are experiencing outbreaks, including Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Madagascar. Even countries like Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan are flagged as having “increasing risks” for American travelers, despite not currently facing outbreaks.

The origins of chikungunya trace back to Tanzania in 1952, and it’s often confused with other similar viruses, such as dengue and Zika, according to the WHO.

It’s been nearly five years since COVID-19 began its spread from China into the United States, prompting national leaders to enforce stringent lockdown measures that significantly impacted the economy. Tragically, millions in the U.S. lost their lives due to the pandemic, with many being elderly or having preexisting health conditions, as per data from the CDC and the Association of Professionals in Clinical Document Integrity.