Chikungunya Fever Spreads Rapidly: Jeonnam Province Urges Caution Against Mosquito Bites

Chikungunya Fever Spreads in Guangdong, China and Indian Ocean Asian Countries
Two Cases Reported in Jeonnam Province Since 2013
Immediate Testing Advised for Symptoms After Overseas Travel

Chikungunya Fever Prevention Guidelines Poster. Provided by Jeonnam Province

As chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease, spreads across Asia-particularly in regions such as Guangdong Province in China and countries around the Indian Ocean-heightened caution is advised.

According to Jeonnam Province on August 14, the primary mosquito vectors for chikungunya fever are the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. While Aedes albopictus is found throughout South Korea, the virus has not yet been detected domestically. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and rash typically appear following an incubation period of 1 to 12 days. In severe cases, serious complications such as meningitis and myocarditis can occur.

This year, a case was reported in South Korea in July, brought in from overseas. Chikungunya fever was designated as a third-class notifiable infectious disease in South Korea in 2010. Since the first reported case in 2013, a total of 71 cases, including 2 in Jeonnam Province, have been recorded through this year. All cases were imported infections following overseas travel.

Jeonnam Province has been strengthening mosquito control efforts during the summer by conducting joint disinfection activities once a week at 23,000 potential mosquito breeding sites-including local garbage dumps and wastewater treatment plants-in cooperation with local public health centers and community-based prevention teams.

While traveling abroad, individuals are advised to apply mosquito repellent every 3 to 4 hours when outdoors and to wear long, light-colored clothing to avoid mosquito bites.

Jung Gwangseon, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau of Jeonnam Province, emphasized, "Since there is no cure for chikungunya fever, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites while traveling. If you experience symptoms such as fever, joint pain, or rash within two weeks of returning to Korea, please visit a medical facility immediately, inform them of your recent travel history, and get tested."