With so many people seeking inspiration from the sunny spring weather to book their summer getaway, one of the first places they should visit after booking their tickets is a travel clinic to book vaccines, buy supplies and seek out potentially crucial health advice.
This is increasingly the case with dengue, which according to UK Health Security Agency data has seen the highest number of cases imported to the UK since records began in 2009.
Whilst dengue fever cannot be transmitted from person to person and thus does not pose a risk of causing an epidemic, it is nonetheless a potentially life-threatening disease that through vaccination, insect repellent and mosquito nets can be avoided or at last mitigated.
What Is Dengue?
Dengue, sometimes known as dengue fever, is a disease spread by bites from infected mosquitoes, similar to diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever.
It will typically not cause any symptoms, and many people who have been infected will never realise they have had it.
Meanwhile, the most common symptoms include headaches, body pain, nausea, fever and rashes.
These symptoms can feel a lot like the flu, and if you get them after travelling to a country with dengue, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment.
Whilst there is no treatment, bed rest, fluids and paracetamol can help manage symptoms.
A more severe form of dengue can sometimes be found a few days after feeling mild symptoms, most commonly occurring after a couple of days of feeling better.
If someone notices blood in their nose, on their gums or in their body fluids, is restless, hyperventilating, extremely fatigued or has intense stomach pains, it could be a sign of serious dengue that needs to be treated in accident and emergency.
Where Is Dengue Found?
Whilst not found in the UK nor in most of Northern Europe, dengue can sometimes be found in the south of France, Croatia, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
It is most commonly found in the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, some parts of Africa and Asia, as well as Central America, South America and some southern United States.
Typically, dengue-infected mosquitoes are most commonly found in areas with tropical climates, are commonly found in urban areas and will be most active during the day.
It is not found in the UK outside of travellers returning from countries with dengue, and as noted before, it cannot spread from person to person.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Dengue?
The main protection from dengue and other mosquito-spread diseases is a two-pronged approach that a travel clinic can help with.
The first is to avoid being bitten in the first place. Mosquito bites can be prevented by using insect repellent, wearing loose, long-sleeved layers to cover the skin, sleeping under mosquito nets, using window screens and taking greater care when travelling during the day.
There is a vaccine available which is recommended for people who have previously been infected with dengue and are travelling to a place where it is common.
Ask at your local travel clinic about the vaccine, as its suitability may be dependent on your travel itinerary and medical history.