CHINA IS BACK IN LOCKDOWN – THIS TIME, IT’S MOSQUITOES

CHINA IS BACK IN LOCKDOWN – THIS TIME, IT’S MOSQUITOES – 7,000+ infected with chikungunya, a rare mosquito virus. – Entire districts in Guangdong sealed off.

- Patients isolated in mosquito-proof quarantine beds. – Drones, fines, chemical sprays: full COVID-style crackdown. A virus that doesn’t spread person to person and they’re locking people up again?

China is currently experiencing a significant outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, primarily centered in Guangdong Province, with over 7,000 cases reported as of early August 2025. In response, authorities have implemented aggressive mosquito control measures, including drone surveillance, widespread insecticide spraying, and fines for residents who fail to eliminate standing water, sparking public fears of a return to strict pandemic-era lockdowns. While the U.S. CDC has issued a Level 2 travel alert advising enhanced precautions, there is no evidence of a nationwide human lockdown; instead, the focus is on vector control and localized public health interventions.

• The outbreak, centered in Foshan near Hong Kong, is the largest ever documented in mainland China and is notable because the virus had not previously been established there, leaving the population largely without immunity.

• Symptoms include high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, rash, and fatigue, with most cases recovering within a week, though some may experience prolonged joint pain.

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• Chinese officials have initiated a Level III public health emergency response, conducted mass PCR testing in affected areas, and reportedly isolated patients in quarantine wards reminiscent of those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling public anxiety.

• Control efforts include releasing mosquito-eating fish, deploying “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on disease-carrying species, and imposing fines of up to 10,000 yuan (~$1,400) for stagnant water violations.

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• The outbreak has been exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains and high temperatures, which created ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

• Globally, there have been approximately 240,000 chikungunya cases and 90 deaths across 16 countries in 2025, with the U.S. reporting 46 travel-related cases so far this year.

• The CDC recommends travelers to affected areas use insect repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, treat clothing with permethrin, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodations.