CDC Points Level 2 Journey Advisory for Chikungunya Outbreak in Guangdong, China

Map of Guangdong Province, China

Image credit: CDC

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 journey advisory (Practice Enhanced Precautions) for Guangdong Province, China, following an outbreak of chikungunya, with most circumstances concentrated in Foshan metropolis.¹

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral sickness marked by fever, joint ache, headache, muscle aches, swelling, and rash. While most sufferers recuperate inside per week, some expertise persistent joint ache lasting months to years. Severe sickness is extra seemingly in newborns contaminated round supply, older adults, and people with comorbidities akin to diabetes or coronary heart illness.¹

The CDC recommends vaccination for vacationers to outbreak areas and stresses mosquito chew prevention measures, together with repellent use, protecting clothes, and staying in screened or air-conditioned environments. Pregnant vacationers are suggested to rethink journey, as an infection close to supply may end up in neonatal transmission and extreme sickness. Although vaccination is mostly deferred till after being pregnant, suppliers might weigh the dangers and advantages in high-exposure situations. Clinicians are suggested to evaluate up to date vaccination steerage and consider vacationers promptly in the event that they develop fever, joint ache, or rash throughout or after getting back from China.¹

In associated developments, the FDA suspended the license for Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, on August 25, 2025, after 4 new critical hostile occasions resembling chikungunya-like sickness had been reported exterior the United States. The circumstances concerned three adults aged 70–82 years (one hospitalized, later discharged) and one 55-year-old. Valneva said the occasions had been according to prior observations, particularly in older recipients, and confirmed it’ll proceed distributing the vaccine in areas the place it stays licensed.²

Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported report ranges of mosquito-borne illness exercise throughout Europe. On World Mosquito Day (August 20, 2025), officers confirmed 27 chikungunya outbreaks, together with the primary domestically acquired circumstances in France’s Alsace area. France has documented 111 circumstances throughout 22 clusters, whereas Italy has reported 7 circumstances throughout 5 clusters. West Nile virus circumstances are additionally rising throughout eight nations, together with France, Greece, Italy, and Romania, with transmission anticipated to peak in late summer time.³

Together, these updates underscore the twin challenges of outbreak prevention and vaccine security monitoring, whereas highlighting the rising function of local weather change in increasing mosquito-borne illness transmission worldwide.

References

1.CDC. Travelers’ Health. Chikungunya in China. Last reviewed August 26, 2025. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/chikungunya-china

2.Valneva. Valneva Announces FDA’s Decision to Suspend License of Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ® In the U.S. August 25, 2025. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://valneva.com/press-release/valneva-announces-fdas-decision-to-suspend-license-of-chikungunya-vaccine-ixchiq-in-the-u-s

3.European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. World Mosquito Day 2025: Europe units new data for mosquito-borne illnesses – ECDC supporting Member States in adapting to ‘new normal.’ August 20, 2025. Accessed August 28, 2025.