The United States warns travelers of the Chiconia virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, in China

The United States warns people traveling to China around Chikungunya, a virus that spreads to humans through mosquito bites.

The centers of control and prevention of diseases were issued a Travel notification from level 2 For people traveling to the country, and urged them to “practice improved precautions.”

The notice, which was released last week, says that the Chiconia’s spread in Guangdong Province, where most cases were reported in Foshan. In recent weeks, the area near Hong Kong has reported more than 7,000 cases.

“You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, which include the use of insect repellent; wearing shirts and long -sleeved pants; staying in places with air conditioning or that contain screens on windows and doors,” says the Disease Control Center.

The Chikungunya virus was identified for the first time in Africa in the early fifties, and the Center for Disease Control issued travel notifications on this topic Multiple countries Including Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

The virus causes a disease of the same name with symptoms, including severe joint pain, fever and fatigue, which usually starts from three to seven days after the sting by the affected mosquitoes, says the Center for Disease Control.

“Most people improve within a week, however, some people can have severe joint pain for several months after years of acute disease,” the agency says, noting that death is rare.

People are most at risk of developing severe diseases are newborn children who are infected soon from their birth, as well as 65 and older adults and people with heart disease and diabetes. Pregnant women are urged to reconsider traveling to affected areas, where the virus can be transferred to a child before birth.

“Chiconia symptoms are similar to the symptoms of dengue and Zika, which makes Chikungunya easy to diagnose and make it difficult for countries to determine the number of people with accurately.” Global Health Organization.

While the Center for Disease Control notes that there is no specific treatment, vaccines are available and recommended for people who are planning to visit an area with Chikungunya.

China’s health officials requested mass control measures, which flourish after the rains once in a century in southern China. The measures range from disinfectant clouds to possible fines for people who do not separate on the permanent waters that accumulate in elements such as flower pots.

Beijing learned strict and fast containment lessons in 2003 and Covid-19 Since 2019, doctors forced patients to stay in hospitals for seven days to stop spreading.

“The current situation can be prevented, and can be treated and controlled,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qouh Jiakoun.

Associated Press

He contributed to this report.