Chikungunya Virus Surges in China; U.S. Cases Climb — Caribbean Urged to Stay Alert

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

August 8, 2025

The dreaded chikungunya virus is making headlines again, with a major outbreak reported in southern China and travel-related cases on the rise in the United States. While there are no confirmed cases in The Bahamas or Turks and Caicos Islands at this time, public health officials say the risk of re-emergence is real—and the Caribbean remembers just how bad it can get.

In Guangdong Province, China, more than 7,000 cases of chikungunya have been confirmed since June. Chinese authorities are using insecticide fogging, drones, mosquito-eating fish, and even hospital bed nets to contain the virus. Residents who fail to control mosquito breeding are facing fines or power shut offs as part of a strict government crackdown.

Meanwhile, in the United States, health officials have confirmed 199 travel-related cases in 2024 and more already this year. States like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana are considered high risk due to the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the virus.

That same mosquito is also found throughout the Caribbean—including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos.

In 2014, chikungunya hit the Caribbean hard. Jamaica was especially overwhelmed, with thousands falling ill in just weeks. The outbreak caused schools and businesses to close and stretched healthcare systems to the limit. Other islands like Haiti, Dominican Republic, Martinique, and Guadeloupe also reported widespread infections.

The virus is known for sudden high fever, severe joint pain, and long-lasting fatigue. There is still no vaccine or specific treatment—only prevention and symptom relief.                                                                                                                                                                                                With regular flights between Jamaica and The Bahamas, and between Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, regional health officials are being urged to monitor the situation closely.

It’s not here… yet. But it could be.

Chikungunya may not currently be circulating in our islands, but the uptick abroad is a warning. The virus is spreading again. The mosquito is still here. And the conditions for an outbreak remain.

Health experts recommend:

• Eliminating standing water
• Wearing insect repellent
• Using mosquito nets and screens
• Seeking medical attention for fever and joint pain after travel

The message is clear: stay vigilant. We’ve been through this before—and we don’t want to go through it again.