OTTAWA: The federal government has issued a travel health notice for Canadian citizens traveling to China due to an increased risk of contracting the Chikungunya virus.
According to the latest advisory from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the spread of Chikungunya in China’s Guangdong province has been classified as ‘Level 2’—suggesting a heightened need for travelers to exercise enhanced health precautions.
Authorities advise travelers to take continuous measures to prevent mosquito bites, as the mosquitoes that transmit the disease are active both day and night. Recommended precautions include using insect repellent, wearing light-colored clothing that covers the body, and sleeping under mosquito nets in accommodations.
The advisory also notes that a vaccine for Chikungunya is approved in Canada, and travelers—especially pregnant individuals and those over the age of 65—should consult a doctor about vaccination before their trip.
Returning travelers are urged to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms. The primary signs of the disease are fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, and rash. Since the symptoms often resemble those of other infections, confirmation requires laboratory testing.
This warning comes at a time when mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise globally. Recently, outbreaks of Dengue fever and Chikungunya were reported in Cuba. Additionally, the West Nile virus was reported in Windsor-Essex, Hamilton, and Ottawa in Canada during the summer.
