Foshan Declares Victory Over Chikungunya

City Reports Over 90% Recovery Rate Amidst Falling Case Numbers

Foshan, China – The city of Foshan in Guangdong province is reporting significant success in its battle against chikungunya fever. Over 90 percent of patients have recovered and been discharged, with a sharp decline in new infections observed over the weekend.

Expert Insights on Recovery

The oldest patient to recover was 95, while the youngest was a mere 40 days old, according to Yan Haiming, a senior doctor in the infectious disease department at the First People’s Hospital of Foshan. He emphasized the city’s comprehensive approach to the outbreak, which began in early July. “Although most of the chikungunya fever patients in Foshan develop mild symptoms, health departments and medical workers make every effort to prevent and control the spread of the fever and treat the patients in the city,” Yan stated.

Foshan’s Proactive Response

Following the outbreak’s commencement, Foshan’s health authority swiftly mobilized medical experts. They developed a specialized diagnosis and treatment guide for the city, ensuring standardized care in designated hospitals. Services have been continuously refined based on expert recommendations from central and provincial bodies. Yan noted that designated hospitals increased nucleic acid testing frequency to expedite diagnosis and minimize waiting times, ensuring all identified patients received consistent treatment.

Declining Case Numbers

According to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, the province recorded 1,387 new chikungunya cases in the week ending Saturday. Foshan accounted for the majority with 1,212 cases. Wen Xi, vice-mayor of Foshan, highlighted the substantial progress, with the city’s daily case count dropping to 148 on Friday from a peak of 647 on July 19. The epidemic has shown a continuous downward trend since July 29, with daily new cases staying below 200 for five consecutive days.

Intensified Mosquito Control

Despite the positive trend, Wen urged continued, robust mosquito elimination efforts to fully contain the virus’s spread and solidify control achievements. In Foshan’s Shunde district, the hardest-hit area representing 95 percent of Guangdong’s chikungunya cases, the recovery rate stands at 92.43 percent, with 5,923 individuals cured. The district has seen a continuous decline in newly confirmed cases for ten days.

Broader Context and Vigilance

Chikungunya fever, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, typically causes symptoms like muscle pain and fatigue, particularly in those over 65. Most patients recover within a week, with no serious long-term effects detected thus far. Doctors are conducting follow-ups on recovered patients. Sporadic cases have also appeared in other regions, including Beijing and Hong Kong, prompting preemptive mosquito control and health surveillance for travelers from affected areas. For instance, Singapore reported 20 locally transmitted chikungunya cases in the first half of 2023, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance against mosquito-borne diseases globally (The Straits Times, July 2023).