Kenya, Aug. 5 -- Chinese authorities have implemented stringent checkpoint testing for Dengue and Chikungunya viruses in Guangdong Province, particularly in Foshan, where over 8,000 Chikungunya cases have been reported in a single month since July, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control.
As part of a lockdown strategy reminiscent of COVID-19 measures, only those testing negative at these checkpoints can leave restricted zones, while positive cases risk having their entire families sent to quarantine camps. This aggressive response, aimed at curbing the mosquito-borne outbreak, has sparked public concern and debate over its necessity.
In Foshan, a city of 10 million, authorities have deployed Chikungunya virus checkpoint testing to control the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, which causes fever, severe joint pain, and rashes.
Testing stations, equipped with nucleic acid testing (NAT) capabilities, screen residents at building entrances and community checkpoints, spraying individuals with mosquito repellent before entry. The Chinese Center for Disease Control reported 4,824 confirmed Chikungunya cases by July 26, with 98.5% in Foshan's Shunde District.
Those testing positive face mandatory hospitalization in wards with mosquito nets, a measure to prevent infected individuals from spreading the virus via mosquito bites. The U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel advisory, urging enhanced precautions for travelers to Guangdong.
The Dengue and Chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, driven by Aedes mosquitoes, has overwhelmed local health systems, with 3,000 new cases reported in the last week alone. Chikungunya, first detected in Foshan on July 8, has spread to 12 other cities in the province, while Dengue cases, though fewer, add to the public health crisis.
Symptoms of both viruses, fever, joint pain, and fatigue, complicate diagnosis, as noted in a 2012 study by the Guangdong CDC, which identified similar outbreaks in 2010.
Authorities are using drones to locate mosquito breeding sites and releasing "elephant mosquitoes" and fish to reduce vector populations, but the rapid case surge has heightened fears of broader transmission.
China's lockdown measures in 2025 echo its zero-COVID strategy, with Foshan residents facing restrictions on movement unless they test negative at checkpoints.
Social media posts express fears of citywide lockdowns, with users questioning, "Are they planning to lock down Foshan and Shunde?" after armed police were deployed for mosquito eradication campaigns.
While some neighboring cities initially imposed 14-day home quarantines for Foshan travelers, these were later withdrawn, per BBC reports. The measures, including door-to-door inspections for stagnant water and fines for non-compliance, have drawn comparisons to Maoist-era public health campaigns, raising concerns about overreach.
Positive Chikungunya or Dengue cases risk family-wide relocation to quarantine camps, a policy that revives memories of China's COVID-19 isolation facilities, like the 108-acre camp built in Hebei in 2021.
In Foshan, infected individuals are sent to hospitals with mosquito-netted beds, but entire households may face quarantine if deemed close contacts.
A Foshan resident's video on social media claimed they were barred from leaving Longjiang Hospital after testing positive, fueling fears of enforced isolation. The lack of a Chikungunya vaccine in China, combined with no specific antiviral treatment, has led to criticism of the costly quarantine approach, with experts like Dr. Lin arguing mosquito control is sufficient.
The public health response in China has faced scrutiny, with experts like Yanzhong Huang from the Council on Foreign Relations likening it to the "zero-tolerance" COVID-19 strategy.
Social media reactions on X, including comments like "Why do we have to wear masks again?" reflect public frustration with measures like mandatory testing and potential lockdowns.
The World Health Organization notes 240,000 global Chikungunya cases in 2025, with China's outbreak linked to imported cases, possibly from India or Africa.
Critics argue that resources spent on PCR testing and camps could be better allocated to mosquito eradication, given the virus's non-person-to-person transmission.
The EACC's call for enhanced surveillance and vector control underscores the need for balanced strategies to protect public health without excessive restrictions.
The Chikungunya and Dengue outbreak in Foshan highlights the challenges of managing mosquito-borne diseases in densely populated regions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.