More than 7,000 cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus, have been recorded in southern China.

Heavy rain and flooding in the country have worsened the outbreak, prompting Chinese authorities to distribute mosquito nets and spray streets, residential buildings and work sites with insecticide.

Health experts warn there is a risk of the outbreak spreading internationally, including to Europe, where locally-acquired cases have been detected in France and Italy.

What is chikungunya?

Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes and usually causes mild symptoms like fever, joint pain, headache, swelling or a rash.

The virus, which was first detected in Tanzania in 1952, is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Most patients will recover within a week or two without medical treatment.

But i

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