Native and imported instances of the virus soared final yr – right here’s how one can maintain secure.
An increase in dengue fever instances throughout Europe isn’t probably the most comfy pre-holiday information however there are methods to scale back the danger of an infection.
New information from the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC) reveals that each locally-acquired and imported instances of dengue soared final yr as hotter temperatures aided the unfold of disease-bearing mosquitoes.
Local weather change is making summer time vacation planning ever-more unpredictable, with flooded airports and heatwaves among the many largest challenges that vacationers should navigate.
Mosquitoes would possibly appear to be a small annoyance, however these pesky bugs are yet one more impediment to a secure and completely happy vacation that’s being turbocharged by local weather change.
Dengue-carrying tiger mosquitoes at the moment are established in 13 European international locations: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. This listing contains most of the continent’s hottest vacation locations.
Right here’s what it is advisable know in regards to the threat and how one can defend your self overseas.
What are the signs of dengue fever?
Most individuals who catch dengue don’t expertise signs.
In the event you do, they have a tendency to indicate between 4 and 10 days after an infection, and final for 2 to seven days.
A few of these are much like flu, equivalent to a excessive temperature, extreme headache, ache behind your eyes, and muscle and joint ache.
In some instances, the latter is so unhealthy it has earned dengue the nickname ‘break bone fever’. For as much as 5 per cer cent of individuals, the illness can develop in a extreme and probably deadly manner.
Dengue is extra widespread in tropical areas of the world like elements of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands and a few southern areas of North America.
You may learn extra in regards to the geographical hotspots right here.
How will you defend your self from mosquitoes?
There are easy private protecting measures you may take to scale back the danger of mosquito bites whereas overseas.
These embody protecting up, ideally in lighter-coloured clothes as darkish supplies have a tendency to draw them extra. Sporting mosquito repellent is a should. These containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin are suggested over important oil primarily based choices.
Mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus chew throughout the day, but it surely’s value taking precautions at evening too.
Goal for a mosquito mattress web or window and door display, the EDCD advises, and sleep in an air conditioned room. Robust followers can disorientate the bugs and make it more durable for them to land.
Since mosquitoes breed in stagnant water – don’t give them the chance. Even one thing as small as a bottle cap of water is sufficient for his or her larvae to develop in so clear away what you may, and control gardens or balconies within the property the place you’re staying.