As cases of life-threatening dengue spread across Europe, sparking fears of a surge in cases in Britons, experts say tourists should be on the lookout for signs of the disease both on holiday and when at home. .
A total of 130 cases of the disease, previously confined to the tropics, were recorded in the EU and EEA last year, almost double the previous year.
And health officials fear this is part of a growing trend. The total cases for 2023 and 2022 represent a large increase compared to the 73 cases recorded on the continent between 2010 and 2021.
Dengue is a potentially deadly virus that is transmitted to people through infected mosquitoes and was historically known as “breakbone fever” in the 18th century due to the intense pain it can cause in muscles and joints, one of its symptoms. .
Although normally endemic in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, experts have warned that climate change is making the Mediterranean more hospitable to mosquito species that transmit the disease.
Dengue is a potentially deadly virus that is transmitted to people through infected mosquitoes and was historically known as “breakbone fever.”
Dengue is usually transmitted by mosquito bites, but exposure to infected blood can also cause people to contract the virus.
Symptoms usually appear four to ten days after being bitten, meaning tourists may still need to watch out for signs of dengue on their return to Britain.
Common signs of a dengue infection usually manifest as flu-like symptoms.
Typically, patients suffer from a fever that lasts between two and seven days; This may peak, decline, and then peak again during this time.
During the first days this may be accompanied by facial redness.
Other common symptoms at this stage include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain (giving the disease its bone-breaking nickname), nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands.
A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body three to seven days after the fever starts, which is believed to be caused by an immune system reaction to the virus. This causes itching in about a quarter of patients.
Although less common, bleeding gums can also be seen.
Brits with dengue symptoms who have been to an area where the disease is prevalent are advised to contact their GP or NHS 111 to make an urgent appointment.
This is due to the risk of a life-threatening complication that often appears just when people are starting to feel better.
While people infected with dengue recover after one to two weeks, there is a chance that some will develop a much more severe form of the infection.
Called “severe dengue,” it is a life-threatening condition that develops in approximately one to 20 cases (five percent) of people infected with the virus.
Experts estimate that this version of dengue kills half of the people who suffer from it.
Symptoms of severe dengue include severe stomach pain, repeated nausea, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, extreme tiredness, restlessness, and blood in vomit or stool.
They usually appear 24 to 48 hours after the initial wave of dengue symptoms has passed and people begin to feel better.
It is a serious medical emergency and people with symptoms are advised to call 999 or go to A&E as soon as possible.
People who have had dengue before are known to be at higher risk of suffering from a severe version of the disease in the future due to subsequent infections.
It also advises that people most vulnerable to dengue, such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system, avoid traveling to areas where the virus is present.
Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Reading, told MailOnline that Britons heading to the continent should be aware of possible dengue symptoms even after returning home.
“Dengue fever is something that has traditionally been associated with more unusual and exotic destinations, but more recently France, Italy and Spain have recorded multiple infections, so UK travelers should be more aware of this potentially deadly infection.” , he claimed.
“Travelers should be aware not only of the increased risk, but also of the symptoms, the four to ten days it can take to appear after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito, and the importance of consulting a doctor. yes I think they have contracted dengue.
He added that with climate change expected to make dengue-carrying mosquitoes more common in Europe, controlling insects would be an increasingly important consideration in holiday destinations.
Reading virologist Professor Ian Jones also told this website that while there is no need to rethink holiday plans yet, dengue in Europe is likely to get worse.
“The risk of contracting dengue in Europe remains low, with many more cases being imported from countries where the infection is common, but the numbers are increasing and we should expect this trend to continue in the short term,” he said.
“Several viral infections, including dengue, are transmitted by insects and as climate change expands their reach, the incidence of viral infections also increases.”
He urged tourists to take sensible precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the virus when traveling to known dengue areas.
Prevention is considered the best way to avoid dengue and people visiting areas where the disease is prevalent should take steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
These include wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants, using insect repellent, keeping unscreened windows closed in your accommodation, and sleeping under a mosquito net.
People should be especially careful in the early morning and early evening, as this is when mosquitoes are most active.
Transmission of dengue is not currently considered a risk in the UK, although mosquitoes capable of carrying the virus have previously been found in the wild in Britain.
Typically, people with dengue cannot transmit the virus to others directly, although mosquitoes can bite them and then infect other people.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that has historically been limited to tropical or subtropical climates. It is estimated to infect about 400 million people a year. Pictured: A house in Peru being fumigated against mosquitoes to prevent the spread of the disease.
However, very rare cases of dengue transmission through contact with infected blood through transfusions or organ donation have been recorded.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded a total of 634 cases of dengue in 2023.
These were all imported cases, where someone became infected while abroad and then fell ill upon returning.
This map shows areas where mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue have been introduced into Britain. These populations have not yet established a permanent presence in the UK, but experts have warned that climate change means their spread is inevitable.
UKHSA officials warned the figure was approaching pre-Covid levels after cases naturally declined during the pandemic due to travel restrictions and urged travelers to be vigilant.
Experts have previously warned that dengue is among a number of diseases that could become established in the UK due to a “slow northward march” of insects due to climate change.
Globally, 6.5 million cases of dengue were reported, of which 7,300 resulted in death in 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, the WHO says models suggest there are 390 million actual infections per year.