Health authorities have issued an urgent warning to UK travellers after a surge in chikungunya cases overseas, with more than 7,000 infections reported in China’s Guangdong province alone since July. The mosquito-borne virus, known for causing severe joint and muscle pain, fever, and rashes, has prompted drastic containment measures in some parts of China.

Patients in the worst-hit city of Foshan are now required to stay in hospital under mosquito nets. Discharge is only allowed after patients test negative or spend seven days in isolation. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is now urging travellers to take protective measures, especially when visiting high-risk areas in Asia, Africa and South America, where the virus is most active. Hilary Kirkbride, Head of Travel Health at UKHSA, told Express.co.uk: “There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK.

“This unpleasant mosquito-borne disease is rarely fatal but can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes.”

Although symptoms often improve within one to two weeks, Kirkbride warned that lingering joint pain can persist for months or even years in some cases.

Ms Kirkbride continued: “It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad.

“Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk.

“Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher risk regions.

“Taking a few extra precautions before and during your trip could save you weeks or months of pain later.

“Mosquito bites may seem harmless — but with chikungunya on the rise, they’re a risk not to be taken lightly.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eliminating pools of stagnant water — a breeding ground for mosquitoes — as a critical line of defence against the virus.

In China, authorities are going a step further, deploying drones to detect stagnant water, releasing mosquito-eating fish into lakes, and even using “elephant mosquitoes” that prey on smaller, disease-spreading insects.

Infected patients in Guangdong are being closely monitored, with those showing symptoms — including fever, rash, and joint swelling — urged to seek immediate medical attention.

Most cases in China have been described as mild, but officials have acknowledged growing public concern, especially on Chinese social media, where users have drawn comparisons with the strict COVID-era containment measures.

“This is scary. The prolonged consequences sound very painful,” one user wrote on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.

Although chikungunya is not contagious from person to person, it spreads rapidly when a mosquito bites an infected person and then transmits the virus to others through subsequent bites.

The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and has since been reported in more than 110 countries.

In recent years, international outbreaks have become more frequent due to increased global travel and expanding mosquito habitats, driven by urbanisation and climate change.

The United States has already issued a travel advisory urging “increased caution” regarding the outbreak in southern China.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged travellers to China and other affected regions to take enhanced precautions, including using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and ensuring accommodation is air-conditioned or fitted with screens.

The CDC emphasised that no vaccine is currently widely available in the US and that, beyond symptom management, there is no specific treatment for chikungunya.

Those most vulnerable to severe or prolonged symptoms include newborn babies, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. While deaths are rare, chikungunya can leave long-lasting effects which disrupt quality of life.