Celebrity Fan Web – Health authorities in Guangzhou, southern China, have issued a warning about a spike in domestic dengue fever cases. Urging residents to remain vigilant and take part in efforts to limit the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
Dengue fever cases surged by 73% last week, up from 252 cases reported the previous week, according to the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention on October 16. Of the 437 recorded cases, 360 were local, while the remainder were import.
Cases have been report across 11 districts in Guangzhou, a city with a population of over 17 million. Although no fatalities linked to dengue fever have been reported in the city so far. The disease can be fatal and may lead to long-term health complications, as noted by doctors and medical experts.
In the broader Guangdong province, dengue fever cases have been steadily rising over the past two months. From September 30 to October 6, a total of 1,770 cases were recorded—an increase of 500 compared to the entire month of August, according to authorities.
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This surge in infections has sparked concern among Chinese netizens. Some of whom described the city as the epicenter of the outbreak in Guangdong province.
“The numbers in Guangzhou keep increasing. It’s really worrying,” commented one user on the popular microblogging platform Weibo in response to a local news article, as reported by Channel News Asia.
“There haven’t been any deaths yet, but dengue fever is no joke. High fever can be deadly, and the bone-crushing pain you experience is unbearable.” Another person warned of the dangers of dengue fever.
Dengue Fever Cases Expected to Rise Further
Another Weibo user pointed out that the number of cases could rise even further in the coming weeks due to the ongoing rainy weather.
“The situation might worsen after the rain, which allows mosquitoes to breed more easily,” they said. “We need to take this matter seriously.”
Dengue fever, often referred to as “breakbone fever” due to the severe muscle and joint pain and high fever it causes. Has no specific treatment currently available.
The disease is a familiar threat in the region, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been making significant efforts to combat the issue.
Dengue Fever Is Not Endemic in China
However, dengue fever is not endemic in China. Infection rates have been on the rise, particularly in southern provinces that experience a combination of extreme storms and hot weather. Unlike northern cities like Beijing and Tianjin. These conditions are ideal for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus.
In May, Shanghai launched an anti-mosquito campaign after recording just 21 dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year.
China has also stepped up measures to curb imported cases. A recent notice from customs authorities called for better sanitation of imported goods and containers, port areas, and closer monitoring of travelers showing symptoms of dengue fever.