DEADLY dengue fever – also known as 'breakbone fever' – can cause severe muscles and joint pain to those infected.
The jungle bug usually proliferates in warn, tropical climates, as it's carried by mosquitoes that also have Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya fever.
Asian tiger mosquitoes – which get their name from the white stripe down the center of their head – are the little pest responsible for spreading dengue through their bites.
Though Europe's climate has historically not been hospitable to the little disease-carrying pests Dr Owain Donnelly, from London’s Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said the spread of the illness is “rapidly changing”.
“Hotter temperatures and more rainfall, and increasing global trade and tourism, mean we may see more parts of Europe with the right combination of factors for dengue outbreaks.”
The mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus have now been found further north in popular holiday spots like the south of France.
A 44-year-old British woman made headlines last month after shewas infected with the virus on a family trip close to Nice in September.
She went to A&E in the UK with a three-day fever, pains and a rash but later made a full recovery.
French health authorities reported three separate outbreaks of the sometimes deadly breakbone fever in 2022 – the infections were contracted in the country without patients having traveled abroad, a rare occurrence until recently.
Meanwhile, health authorities in Ibiza, Spain, issued an alert after two dengue fever cases were detected in German tourists in August.
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According to the WHO, "2023 is showing intense dengue transmission" already, noting an "expansion outside of historical areas of transmission, where all the population, including risk groups and healthcare workers, may not be aware of clinical manifestations of the disease".
It warned that 342,243 of the mosquito-borne virus had been reported in South America between January 1 and March 4 this year, resulting in 86 people dying.
By comparison, 2.8 million dengue cases reported in the region in 2022, more than double the 1.2 million cases seen in 2021.
Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that as of March 9, 380,171 cases and 113 deaths from dengue fever had been reported globally.
Brazil has seen the majority of cases so far (240 482), followed by Bolivia (31 283), Peru (20 022), Colombia (15 972) and Nicaragua (13 187).
Both Bolivia and Peru reported 26 deaths, Brazil saw 24, Sudan 14 and Bangladesh 9.
No cases originating in Europe have been found so far this year, according to agency, though it referred to the six cases reported in Spain in 2022 which health authorities identified as dengue this year.
According to NHS guidance, breakbone fever has been identified in several southern European countries in the past, including:
- Croatia
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Portugal and Madeira
Speaking at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Dr Donnelly added: “Physicians should consider testing for dengue if patients live in or have visited countries even where it is not widespread.”
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
People who get bitten by a dengue-carrying mosquito won't always get symptoms.
If they do, these will usually start between four and 10 days after getting stung by an infected pest.
The symptoms are similar to the flu and include:
- a high temperature
- a severe headache
- pain behind your eyes
- muscle and joint pain
- feeling or being sick
- swollen glands
- a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body
You should urgently see your doctor or call NHS 111 if you feel unwell after visiting a country where dengue is found.
In rare cases, people might develop more severe symptoms a few days after they first feel ill, including:
- severe tummy pain
- repeatedly being sick
- fast breathing
- bleeding gums or nose
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- being unable to relax (restlessness)
- blood in your vomit or poo
You should call 999 or go to your nearest A&E if you have symptoms of severe dengue.
How can I treat dengue?
Most people contacting it will feel better within a few days.
There isn't a treatment for dengue, but the best thing you can do is:
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- take paracetamol for fever or pain
It's important not to take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue.
You'll need to go to hospital to recover from severe dengue.
How can I protect myself from dengue?
If you’re in a country where dengue is found, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
It's a good idea to wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening, according to NHS guidance.
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Be liberal with using insect repellent and try to look for one which contains DEET.
Make sure to close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens, and sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide.
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