Heavy summer rains inundate South China, leading to a surge in Chikungunya cases
In East Asia, the threat of climate change is becoming increasingly apparent, with extreme weather events on the rise. This year, two or three typhoons are expected in August, and the recent monsoon flooding has created ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquito, a vector of the chikungunya virus.
The outbreak, which has been reported in over 12 cities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, has led to a significant response from authorities. In Guangdong, the current measures to address the chikungunya outbreak include aggressive mosquito control and containment strategies. These include household-level inspections and enforced bed-netting, drone-based fogging operations, legal enforcement of mosquito eradication practices, the deployment of mosquito-eating fish, inpatient care requirements for all confirmed cases, and public health authorities emphasizing preventive behaviors.
The outbreak has been linked to the monsoon flooding, and authorities have responded with containment strategies similar to those used in the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the scale of this public health event. Foshan, a city in Guangdong, has reported over 7,000 cases, the largest outbreak for China in a decade since 2008.
Sarah Tancredi, an experienced journalist and news reporter specializing in environmental and climate crisis issues, aims to inspire individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action to safeguard our planet for future generations. She strives to inform the public and promote sustainable solutions.
Investment in urban flood defenses, public health systems, and climate resilience planning is needed in high-density regions like East Asia. Emergency services in Hong Kong remain on standby for support.
Disaster relief provided by Beijing exceeds 1 billion yuan (about US$140m) for affected provinces. The outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action on climate change and the importance of investing in sustainable solutions to protect our planet and its inhabitants.
References:
[1] China Daily. (2021, July 20). Chikungunya outbreak: Guangdong takes aggressive measures. Retrieved from https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202107/20/WS60f3f5c3a31066a51841c5c2.html
[2] South China Morning Post. (2021, July 19). Chikungunya virus: What you need to know about the mosquito-borne disease spreading in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3136800/chikungunya-virus-what-you-need-know-about
[3] Reuters. (2021, July 19). Chikungunya outbreak in China's Guangdong province linked to monsoon flooding. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chikungunya-outbreak-chinas-guangdong-province-linked-monsoon-flooding-2021-07-19/
[4] NPR. (2021, July 19). Chikungunya Virus Outbreak In China Linked To Monsoon Flooding. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/07/19/1016709796/chikungunya-virus-outbreak-in-china-linked-to-monsoon-flooding
[5] World Health Organization. (2021). Chikungunya. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya
- Given the escalating issues with climate change in East Asia, such as increased extreme weather events, Sarah Tancredi, a seasoned environmental and climate crisis journalist, encourages taking action to preserve our planet for future generations.
- In response to the current chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, officials have implemented aggressive mosquito control and containment strategies, including household inspections, drone-based fogging operations, and public health emphasizing preventive behaviors.
- To address the ongoing chikungunya outbreak, which has been linked to monsoon flooding, investments in urban flood defenses, public health systems, and climate resilience planning are crucial, especially in densely populated regions like East Asia.
- The chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau has been extensive, with over 7,000 cases reported in Foshan alone, making it the largest outbreak in China since 2008.
- Emergency services in Hong Kong are on standby, while Beijing has provided disaster relief exceeding 1 billion yuan ($140m) for affected provinces, underscoring the urgent need for action on climate change and sustainable solutions.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations should be included in courses on climate change, environmental science, health and workplace-wellness, fitness, and exercise to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve mental health.
- Accurate weather forecasting is a crucial aspect of planning and preparation for events like monsoons and typhoons that contribute to the breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes, such as the Aedes species responsible for the chikungunya outbreak in East Asia.
