Yahoo News Holidaymakers warned of 'largest ever' outbreak of mosquito-borne infection
Health bosses have warned that parts of the world are facing the "largest ever" outbreak of a common infection that can cause nausea and vomiting and may be fatal in severe cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stated in its latest update on communicable disease threats that there has been a "substantial" increase in cases of dengue fever coming back to the EU so far this year. The infection is spread by mosquitoes, and is very common in tropical climates including Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa and Asia.
Officials said there have been 10 million dengue cases and more than 5,000 dengue-related deaths reported across 80 countries since the start of 2024. Most have been reported in the Americas, with Brazil seeing the highest number at eight million, followed by Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia, Gloucestershire Live reports.
The ECDC said: "The Americas is currently facing its largest outbreak of dengue ever. As a result, there is a substantial increase in number of imported cases of dengue to the EU/EEA since the beginning of the year."
Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned Brits travelling abroad that mosquito-borne infections such as dengue and malaria are returning to pre-pandemic levels. The agency reported that 634 dengue cases were reported among Brits returning from abroad in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2023, a figure which "aligns closely" with 2019 figures of 790 cases.
Health bosses recommend that anyone planning to travel to a country where insects are known to spread diseases consult their GP or pharmacist four to six weeks before their trip, as they can offer relevant advice, vaccines and medication. While dengue is not usually serious and most will get better within one to two weeks, in rare cases it can develop into severe dengue which can be fatal.
According to the World Health Organisation, around half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring each year. While many dengue infections are asymptomatic, symptoms can include:
High fever (40°C)
Severe headache
Pain behind the eyes
Muscle and joint pains
Nausea
Vomiting
Swollen glands
Rash
There is no vaccine available in the UK that you can have to prevent dengue before travelling to a country where there's a risk of infection. If you're in a country where dengue is found, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, by wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers, using insect repellent, and closing windows and doors whenever possible, the NHS advises.
