Travel Advisory for Guangdong: Now, Chikungunya Cases Impact Tourism and Safety for Travelers

Published on July 31, 2025

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to release a China travel advisory because of a widespread outbreak, mainly in Guangdong. Figures of chikungunya as of July 2025 over 4,800 in the south coastal province have prompted the CDC to alert travelers to the health risks associated with the mosquito borne virus.

The CDC advisory comes amid a rising number of cases of chikungunya, a virus transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito. It is distributed in South China and other tropical and subtropical areas and was the main epidemic vector of DF in China. The CDC is actively following the situation and offering travel advice for the affected areas, particularly as the virus can lead to large outbreaks in certain high-risk locations.

Chikungunya: Symptoms and Transmission

Chikungunya is an arthropod-borne virus that is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. ​It is described by symptoms of fever, joint pain, head aches and rash. There is no cure for chikungunya, but its symptoms are typically treated with plenty of rest, fluids and pain medication. The Aedes mosquito, which transmits chikungunya, bites during the day, so it is important that travelers protect themselves by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants and by staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

Although the illness is seldom fatal, the joint pain it causes can last for months in some patients. Therefore, preventive measures should be taken during travel to minimize the likelihood of infection. The CDC highly recommends travelers to protect themselves, particularly when going to high-risk regions with a lot of mosquitoes during the current outbreaks in Guangdong.

Effects on tourism in Guangdong, China

Guangdong attracts millions of visitors to China each year, for its position as a centre of economic and cultural development and for its tourist sites, which include both Guangzhou, the provincial capital, and Shenzhen, a hi-tech hub close to Hong Kong. Its rich cultural background, contemporary facilities and location near international connections appeal to both business and leisure visitors.

However, with the outbreak of chikungunya, there has been a temporary setback for the region, as tourists might avoid such places where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent. Travel advisories, such as the one the CDC plans to issue, are designed to alert tourists to the risk and allow them to take necessary precautions.

But the virus has not touched tourism throughout all of China, and major tourism destinations, like Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an are unaffected by the outbreak. Even in Guangdong, where the outbreak is posing challenges, many tourists have been able to visit key cultural sites and attractions throughout the country, as long as they take recommended precautions.

What Travelers Need to Know

For those planning travel to Guangdong or other parts of China, the CDC’s travel advisory will include valuable safety considerations. For travelers to areas with chikungunya epidemics, the following preventive measures are recommended:

Apply insect repellent: Repellents that contain DEET offer some protection when in use on skin — particularly during the day, when mosquitoes are most active.

Get dressed in protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and pants can protect against exposed skin and bites.

Sleep in air-conditioned housing: Air conditioning repels mosquitos, although sleep under mosquito nets also provide coverage while you are sleeping.

Remove places for mosquitoes to breed: If traveling to areas outside the Western European level, avoid stagnant bodies of water where mosquitoes may lay their eggs.

Watch for health symptoms: If you become ill with a fever or rash while traveling, or within 3 weeks of returning home, seek medical care right away.

Here are some simple steps that may help travelers back home avoid chikungunya and other mosquito-borne infections.

Public Health Response and International Cooperation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released advice (available in English, French and Spanish) to countries on how to step up their mosquito control activities and provide information to the public on the symptoms of the disease and prevention measures. The Chinese if government has been proactively engaged in the response, conducting public education programmes and mosquito abatement measures, and increasing surveillance.

Local authorities in Guangdong were taking steps to control the mosquito population by spraying insecticides and tackling breeding sites. The computer virus is closely monitored by the Geological Survey of China and the National Health Commission of China with the government releasing practice updates on a regular basis.

Future Tourism Outlook

Travelers have cancelled trips immediately following the confirmation of chikungunya, but otherwise Chinese tourism is doing very well. Despite its political clout, China remains one of the world’s most visited nations, drawing millions of foreigners each year to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Hong Kong.

As public health measures to slow the spread of the virus ease, the Chinese tourism industry is expected to recover. By investing in better mosquito control and in public health infrastructure the country can reduce its vulnerability to mosquito-borne disease and remain a hotspot for tourists from everywhere.

Conclusion

An outbreak of chikungunya in Guangdong, China, has caused a temporary travel suspension for U.S. travelers visiting affected areas. Though travel to major cities in China including Beijing and Shanghai has not been impacted, the CDC’s travel notice is a helpful reminder to take health precautions when traveling to territories that are home to diseases carried by the mosquito.

Travelers should stay informed by checking official sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and other local government websites to receive the most recent information on health advisories.

(Source: United States of America Tourism.)