Episode 23: Blood and Bone - The Battle Against Chikungunya

Chikungunya is sweeping through southern China in its largest recorded outbreak—and it’s not just a local problem. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather takes you inside Foshan’s summer surge, unpacks how this mosquito-borne virus travels the globe, and explores why its painful symptoms can linger for months or even years. You’ll hear how two species of mosquitoes are redrawing the map of where chikungunya can strike, why genetic changes have made it more adaptable, and what public health responses—from targeted mosquito control to controversial government overreach—look like on the ground. Whether you’re a traveler, a science enthusiast, or just someone who hates mosquito bites, this is your deep dive into the past, present, and future of a virus that won’t stay put.