The Foreign Office has issued a warning about a surge in dengue fever cases among UK holidaymakers returning from Europe. A report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals a 201% increase in cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between January and June 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with 473 cases reported.
Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is on the rise in Europe, with outbreaks reported in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean. Symptoms include abrupt fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, it can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, which carry a higher risk of mortality.
The World Health Organization reported over 7.6 million cases globally by April 2024, including more than 3,000 deaths. The Americas saw over 7 million cases, surpassing the previous annual high. In the UK, most cases were imported, with travel history known for 441 cases: 125 from Barbados, 67 from Brazil, and 54 from Indonesia. London accounted for 40% of English cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) attributes the rise to the spread of the invasive tiger mosquito, now found in 13 EU countries, including France, Spain, and Greece. Climate change is creating favourable conditions for the mosquito. Locally-acquired infections in Europe rose to 130 in 2023, up from 71 the previous year.
Preventative measures include controlling mosquito populations through aerial spraying of insecticides during outbreaks. The UKHSA advises travellers to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in affected regions.
