A German woman who thought she had caught flu on a dream birthday trip to the Maldives was later diagnosed with dengue fever, a potentially deadly tropical disease. Gina Donner, 26, from Leipzig, fell ill during her 11-day holiday in May 2024 and has suffered debilitating symptoms for nearly two years.
Ms Donner began experiencing joint pain, redness and dizziness on day six of the trip. She cut the holiday short and flew to Dubai, where a doctor told her she had flu. However, on returning to Germany, she was diagnosed with dengue fever after developing red patches and bruises. She spent 10 days in hospital and could not walk unaided for three weeks.
Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes and has no specific treatment. Most people recover within 10 days, but severe cases can be fatal. Ms Donner said she still feels constantly weak and tired 18 months later, and can no longer work. 'Before dengue, I worked out almost every day. After dengue, I couldn't even walk for 10 minutes by myself,' she said.
Ms Donner and her mother had enjoyed a private pool, tennis and jet skiing before the weather turned grey and rainy. She said she always researches destinations but was unaware of dengue risks in the Maldives.
