A mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya, has caused an outbreak in China, prompting the CDC to issue a Level 2 alert. Public health experts note that the risk of widespread infection in the U.S. remains low, though travel warnings and precautions are advised for those visiting high-risk areas.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 alert on Wednesday for an outbreak of chikungunya virus in the Guangdong Province, where health officials have reported more than 7,000 cases, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
There are efforts underway to control the mosquitoes spreading the virus, including the use of nets, insecticide and drones, the report stated.
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Chikungunya cases have also been spreading throughout Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The virus is transmitted when a mosquito feeds on an infected person and then bites someone else.
Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said an outbreak in the U.S. is unlikely.
Chikungunya is a predominantly tropical virus spread through Aedes mosquitoes, which can be found in the southern United States.
CDC ISSUES CHINA TRAVEL WARNING OVER CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS OUTBREAK