China will include chikungunya fever and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, in the management of Category B infectious diseases starting from April 1, according to an announcement by the National Health Commission on Wednesday.

Category B infectious diseases are those that, while not subject to the most stringent quarantine measures of Category A, require strict management, timely reporting, and coordinated prevention and control under China's law on prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Common Category B infectious diseases include COVID-19, AIDS and viral hepatitis.

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus, transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, commonly known as spotted mosquitoes.

Its main clinical symptoms include fever, rash, as well as joint and muscle pain. After the first imported case was reported in China in 2008 and the first local outbreak triggered by an imported case occurred in 2010, the country recorded localized clusters of cases in several provinces last year due to imported infections, according to a policy interpretation issued by the NHC.

SFTS is an acute infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus, primarily transmitted through tick bites. It is characterized by fever, and reduced platelet and white blood cell counts. The first case of SFTS in China was reported in 2009, with cases concentrated in mountainous and hilly areas where ticks are found.

Liu Qing, deputy director of the department of infectious disease control and prevention at the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said experts have assessed that in 2026, the risk of imported cases of major mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya fever sparking local transmission will be higher than in previous years, and some areas may face the risk of localized outbreaks.

With the significant increase in cross-border travel, the risk of imported cases leading to local transmission is rising, Liu said. Climate change, including rising temperatures and increased precipitation, has led to a wider distribution of Aedes mosquitoes in China and a longer transmission season, he said at a news conference on Thursday.

Liu said adding the two diseases in Category B reflects two main considerations: strengthening preparedness against the risk of epidemics, and promoting more scientific and standardized prevention efforts.

"We will further strengthen monitoring and early warning, intensify surveillance and risk assessment during peak seasons and in key areas, and use technologies such as the national infectious disease intelligent monitoring and early warning system to screen suspected cases," he said.

Efforts will also be scaled up to eliminate sanitary blind spots, clean up vector breeding sites and improve urban and rural environments, he added. Public health education will be strengthened to raise awareness and promote protective behaviors.

Regarding SFTS, Liu Qiyong, chief expert on vector-borne diseases at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said when entering grassy or wooded areas, people should wear long sleeves and trousers, tuck the cuffs into socks, and apply insect repellent. Upon returning home, individuals should check their bodies, clothing and pets for ticks, paying particular attention to hidden areas such as armpits, the scalp and the groin.

If a tick is found, Liu Qiyong said it should be removed carefully with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping it close to the skin and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. "It is best to have a medical professional remove it," he noted.

He also warned that if fever or fatigue develops within a week after a tick bite, medical attention should be sought immediately and the bite should be reported to the healthcare provider.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn