Genomic epidemiology reveals the origins and transmission dynamics of chikungunya virus in China
Infectious Diseases of Poverty·
- DOI
- 10.1186/s40249-026-01465-2
- PMID
- 42243875
- PMCID
- PMC13234983
- OpenAlex
- W7163524086
- Study type
- Genomic study
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
Incorporating molecular tracking alongside travel history may strengthen early detection frameworks for emerging domestic clusters. Targeting monitoring resources at major transit corridors and high-incidence zones could support more proactive containment strategies.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study investigates the geographic spread, genetic origins, and evolutionary patterns of chikungunya virus infections within China.
Study design
Researchers conducted a retrospective genomic epidemiology analysis integrating systematic case reporting with phylogenetic and phylogeographic modeling of archived viral sequences.
Population and setting
The dataset included documented human infections across Chinese territories, emphasizing regions with substantial domestic transmission such as Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.
Main findings
Domestic epidemics were predominantly triggered by travel-associated introductions from Southeast Asian countries. Molecular sequencing demonstrated that African-derived viral strains constituted the vast majority of circulating variants, while statistical modeling confirmed multiple independent entry events and separate transmission networks. The most extensive recorded epidemic occurred in Guangdong during 2025 and genetically aligned with strains likely originating from Africa.
Public-health relevance
Incorporating molecular tracking alongside travel history may strengthen early detection frameworks for emerging domestic clusters. Targeting monitoring resources at major transit corridors and high-incidence zones could support more proactive containment strategies.
Important limitations
The analysis relies exclusively on publicly archived sequences and official case reports, which may miss unreported infections or unsampled viral variants. Gaps in sequence submission timing could reduce the precision of evolutionary rate calculations and migration pathway models.
GIDS interpretation
This article establishes a historical baseline for understanding viral lineage distribution and cross-regional movement patterns pertinent to regional pathogen mapping. It documents established transmission corridors without producing real-time monitoring alerts or verifying active surveillance datasets.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 11 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.