China reports over 7,000 cases of Chikungunya virus, unleashes giant mosquitoes to fight smaller bugs
What you need to know:
- To combat the outbreak, officials have resorted to deploying so-called "elephant mosquitoes"—a giant, non-biting species capable of devouring the smaller mosquitoes responsible for spreading the virus.
More than 7,000 cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus have been reported across China’s Guangdong province, prompting authorities to implement a range of aggressive containment measures.
To combat the outbreak, officials have resorted to deploying so-called "elephant mosquitoes"—a giant, non-biting species capable of devouring the smaller mosquitoes responsible for spreading the virus. These predatory insects have been released alongside a large number of mosquito-eating fish in a bid to curb the vector population.
In addition, residents have been instructed to eliminate sources of stagnant water in and around their homes, as these serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Those who fail to comply face fines of up to 10,000 yuan (approximately Sh3, 438,148.61).
Foshan city, the worst-affected area, has introduced further precautions, including mandatory hospitalisation for chikungunya patients. To prevent further transmission, patients’ beds are being shielded with protective mosquito nets.
The provincial health authorities have urged continued public cooperation, stressing that community engagement is key to halting the spread of the virus.
