A mosquito-borne virus spreading in parts of southeast China is triggering a COVID-style response there.

Cases of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya have spiked to more than 10,000 in the country, with more than 7000 of those reported in Foshun, in the southeast Guangdong Province.

People who contract the virus in Foshun are being quarantined in hospital for a week, or until they test negative for chikungunya.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Sanitation workers have also been seen spraying insecticide through outbreak areas and cleaning up green spaces in the Guangdong Province.

“If you have chikungunya, it is important to avoid mosquito bites while you have a fever ... because you could pass the infection on to the mosquito, which can then spread the virus to other people,” according to Health Direct.

Chikungunya symptoms “can be very similar to dengue fever” and the two viruses are also carried by the same type of mosquitoes, according to the NT Government.

Fever, joint pain, nausea, fatigue and rashes are the most common symptoms of chikungunya virus — but, in rare cases, life-threatening complications of the brain and heart can develop.

Most symptoms of the virus generally disappear within two weeks, however joint pain has reportedly persisted in some patients for years after they have contracted the virus.

The virus is more serious for newborn babies, people older than 65, and people with a high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions, according to Health Direct.

The virus is not endemic in Australia but there is the potential for it to exist

“There have been no locally acquired cases, though mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus are present in some areas of Queensland,” according to the Australian Department of Health.

“Travellers can become infected with the chikungunya virus if travelling to a region of the world where chikungunya is found.”

In the US, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is advising travellers to wear long clothing and insect repellant, and to vaccinate against the virus if heading to outbreak areas.

But there is no approved vaccine to prevent against chikungunya in Australia, according to Health Direct.

Last year, there were 200 travel-related cases of chikungunya in the US.

— With NBC