South China's Guangxi reports eight Chikungunya cases

NANNING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of eight cases of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, have been reported in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, confirmed local authorities on Thursday.

The eight cases were found in the Qingxiu District of Nanning City, capital of Guangxi, as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, said the Qingxiu district center for disease prevention and control. All the patients showed mild symptoms and have been effectively treated.

According to a notice from the center, to check the spread of Chikungunya fever, Qingxiu District has launched special pest control work in relevant areas.

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus -- featuring clinical symptoms including fever, rashes and joint pains. The virus is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.

Thousands of Chikungunya fever cases have been reported since the end of July in Guangxi's neighboring Guangdong Province, which now sees a decline in new cases thanks to a series of targeted prevention measures. ■