2023-09-09 23:31:54
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Dengue fever is causing alarm on Lake Garda. There are other cases. Only mosquitoes transmit the virus. What holidaymakers need to know now about symptoms and protection.
Manerba – The European Disease Authority ECDC is closely monitoring dengue cases in the Lake Garda communities. The ECDC speaks of a “Lombardy cluster” in its most recent report. What’s special about these cases is that dengue fever was “locally acquired”. Patients were infected with the tropical virus in Italy. None of them were traveling. Dengue is only transmitted through mosquito bites. In rare cases, the disease can be fatal. The Foreign Office warns travelers to Lake Garda and Italy about dengue fever in its travel advice.
Dengue alarm on Lake Garda: What travelers need to know about the tropical virus. © Imago/Montage
Dengue fever on Lake Garda – Federal Foreign Office updates Italy travel advice for holidaymakers
The first case of dengue in Lombardy – without a travel history – was officially confirmed by the Italian authorities on August 18, 2023. This was followed by a patient from Lazio (August 21) who had to be treated in a hospital. Six dengue cases have now been recorded in Italy by September 1st, the ECDC announced in its latest weekly report (as of August 27th to September 2nd). Safety measures are already underway in Italy to contain the local dengue outbreak on Lake Garda. There is an anti-mosquito regulation for the population and specialist companies spray insecticides on the affected streets.
The alert level has been raised in hospitals. Because the typical symptoms are flu-like. But in rare cases, complications arise from dengue fever. This makes it all the more important for vacationers, according to him Tropical Institute of the Ludwig Maximilians Universityto know the symptoms of dengue infection. The The Foreign Office in Berlin points out in its Italy travel advice on dengue fever (as of September 3, 2023).
Asian tiger mosquitoes (symbolic photo) can transmit dengue fever. A small prick is enough. © imago
These are the typical symptoms of dengue fever
Dengue fever is only transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes – diurnal Aedes mosquitoes – must have previously bitten an infected person. The Italian Ministry of Health also emphasizes that there is no direct infection from person to person. The virus circulates in the infected person’s blood for two to seven days. During this time, the mosquito can pick up the dengue virus again and pass it on to other people.
The typical symptoms of a dengue infection are similar to a flu-like illness, such as fever and body aches. The Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) details the complaints and expressly points out that typical symptoms are often missing in children. The virus or antibodies can be detected in the blood using laboratory tests.
Dengue or dengue fever symptomsHigh fever with headachePain around and behind the eyesSevere pain in muscles and jointsNausea and vomitingSkin rashes or skin irritations that may appear all over the body three to four days after the fever begins. In rare cases, life-threatening complications and bleedingThose: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
According to the Tropical Institute at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, fatigue after a dengue infection and occasional hair loss are also possible.
This is how holidaymakers protect themselves from dengue fever
Dengue fever is transmitted by diurnal mosquitoes of the genus Aedes – such as the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). It is important to avoid mosquito bites by all means. Since the critters bite during the day, it is advisable to completely cover the skin with clothing and use insect repellent. Install mosquito nets on windows and doors to keep the bloodsuckers out. The experts from the Munich Tropical Institute have summarized the most important tips:
Wear suitable clothing: light colors, long sleeves, airy. Additionally impregnate clothing with insect sprays containing permethrin. Apply mosquito repellent to the skin repeatedlySource: Tropical Institute of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Is there a vaccination against dengue fever?
In addition to individual protective measures against mosquito bites, there is now a vaccine against the dengue virus. A vaccine has been available since 2023. The basic immunization consists of two vaccinations that are administered three months apart.
Paris is fighting the spread of tiger mosquitoes with drastic measures: entire streets have been closed and the population has been asked to stay in their homes.(ml)
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