Chikungunya Virus Genome Found in Chinese Mosquitoes Signals Potential for Local Transmission
Foshan, China – In a advancement raising public health concerns, researchers have detected the complete genome sequence of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) within Aedes albopictus mosquitoes collected during the 2025 outbreak in Foshan, Guangdong Province. This marks the first confirmed identification of a full CHIKV genome in mosquitoes in China, providing direct evidence of field vector infection and highlighting the potential for sustained local transmission.
Chikungunya fever,characterized by debilitating joint pain,fever,and rash,is typically spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.While previously reported in China through imported cases, this discovery-published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty-demonstrates the virus has established itself within the local mosquito population. This finding is particularly meaningful given China’s large population density and extensive mosquito habitats, creating conditions ripe for widespread outbreaks.the identification of the virus genome within mosquitoes underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance, vector control strategies, and public health preparedness to mitigate the risk of future epidemics.
The study, conducted by a team investigating the Foshan outbreak, analyzed mosquito samples collected from affected areas. Researchers successfully sequenced the viral genome from multiple mosquito specimens,confirming the presence of the East,Central,and South African (ECSA) genotype-a lineage previously associated with outbreaks in Africa and Asia. This genetic profile suggests the virus likely arrived in Foshan through imported cases before becoming established in the local mosquito population.
Previous research has established that early neutralizing IgG responses to chikungunya virus in infected patients target a dominant linear epitope on the E2 glycoprotein (Kam et al., 2012). Understanding the virus’s genetic makeup and transmission dynamics, as demonstrated by the work in Foshan, is crucial for developing effective diagnostic tools, vaccines, and control measures.
A 2009 study on chikungunya virus infection in Malaysia highlighted the clinical and virological features of the disease, noting the significant impact of the virus on affected populations (Sam et al., 2009). The current findings in China emphasize the global threat posed by CHIKV and the importance of international collaboration to prevent and control it’s spread. Further research will focus on monitoring the virus’s evolution, tracking its geographic distribution, and assessing the effectiveness of existing control measures.
References
Kam, YW, Lum, FM, Teo, TH, Lee, WW, Simarmata, D, & Harjanto, CS. (2012). Early neutralizing IgG response to chikungunya virus in infected patients targets a dominant linear epitope on the E2 glycoprotein. EMBO molecular medicine, 4*(4), 330-343.
Sam, IC, kamarulzaman A, Ong GS, Chan YF, & AbuBakar S. (2009).Chikungunya virus infection in Malaysia: clinical and virological features. *medical journal of Malaysia, 64(3), 220-222.
