"High Fever and Joint Pain" Disease Spreads Rapidly Again in China... No Treatment 73 Years After Discovery [Current Affairs Show]

A disease first discovered in Africa in 1952
No treatment available to this day
Global spread concerns
Need to strengthen domestic quarantine

■ Broadcast: Asia Economy 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show'

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop

■ Producer: PD Lee Kyungdo

■ Guest: Reporter Lee Hyunwoo

On the 3rd of last month (local time), a quarantine officer sprayed insecticide in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, to prevent the spread of chikungunya fever. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

As chikungunya fever spreads rapidly, particularly in Guangdong Province, China, concerns are growing about the potential for the disease to enter Korea. In Guangdong, just about a month after the first confirmed case was reported, the cumulative number of confirmed cases has exceeded 10,000, demonstrating a fast transmission rate and heightening the sense of urgency among quarantine authorities.

A disease discovered in Africa in 1952... Still no treatment available

Chikungunya fever was first reported in 1952 in Tanzania. The name comes from a local Tanzanian word meaning "to become contorted with pain." It is mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Africa, and is characterized by high fever, joint pain, headache, and muscle pain. Even though 73 years have passed since its discovery, no treatment has yet been developed.

The fatality rate is relatively low at less than 1%, which has resulted in less research into treatments or vaccines compared to other diseases. As for vaccines, two types have received FDA approval: 'Ixchiq', developed by France's Valneva in 2023, and 'Bimkunia', developed by Denmark's Bavarian Nordic in February this year. However, their use is restricted for children under 12 and adults over 60. This is because, as live attenuated virus vaccines, they may pose a risk of causing illness in people with weakened immune systems.

The rapid spread of chikungunya, once an epidemic disease in Africa, in Guangdong Province is attributed to the creation of an environment optimal for mosquito breeding. Just before the outbreak, several typhoons passed through Guangdong, causing flooding and leaving puddles where African mosquitoes bred at an explosive rate.

Guangdong Province, with a slightly smaller area than the Korean Peninsula and a population exceeding 130 million, is densely populated and structurally vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, the annual influx of millions of people from Southeast Asia and Africa seeking jobs in manufacturing and construction has also contributed to the spread.

Chinese authorities are implementing strict quarantine measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are sealing off entire buildings where cases have occurred and restricting entry and exit, which has led to backlash from residents. There is criticism that these controls are excessive, given that chikungunya is not transmitted through the respiratory tract and can only be contracted through mosquito bites.

Global spread concerns, need for strengthened domestic quarantine

AFP Yonhap News

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in July that chikungunya could develop into a pandemic. This year, about 220,000 people have been infected and more than 80 have died worldwide, mainly in Africa and Southeast Asia. In the past, from 2004 to 2005, more than 500,000 people were infected in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region, raising concerns that the current spread to China could result in an even larger outbreak. The prolonged heat and high humidity in East Asia due to global warming are also expected to further accelerate mosquito breeding, adding to the risk factors.

While the situation in Korea is not yet severe, vigilance is necessary. The Asian tiger mosquito, which can transmit the chikungunya virus, has been found in Korea, but no individuals carrying the virus have been detected. Only one case was reported in July, with no evidence of further transmission. However, there remains a risk of the virus being introduced by overseas travelers, and a mass outbreak could occur if mosquitoes cross the border from China. As seen recently with the lovebug issue in Incheon, there is also a possibility that mosquitoes could enter through Shandong Province in China and spread throughout the Seoul metropolitan area.

Health authorities are urging travelers returning from China to strictly follow preventive measures such as using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves. They are also strengthening regular mosquito control and surveillance systems nationwide. Although chikungunya has a low fatality rate, it can cause complications in children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions, so special caution is needed. For now, avoiding mosquito bites is the best preventive measure, making it essential for individuals to follow personal protection guidelines and for the government to maintain systematic monitoring and response efforts.