Dengue Fever

Severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries.¹

When bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus. These mosquitoes can also carry other viruses such as Chikungunya, Yellow Fever and Zika.¹

Over 100 countries, including Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia and the Western Pacific are affected (see map).²

This virus usually causes an infection which feels like severe flu. It should be suspected when you have a high fever with two or more of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or a rash.¹

Symptoms usually occur between 4 and 10 days after being bitten, and usually last for 2-7 days¹. Therefore, you may start to feel ill when you are back home after your trip.¹

In most cases, dengue is mild. But in rare cases it can be life-threatening. In severe cases, it causes fluid to leak out of blood vessels which can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, and difficulty breathing. Dengue can also cause bleeding and organ failure.¹

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE, IR3535 or 2-undecanone³
• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimise exposed skin⁴
• Use mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in unscreened accommodation or sleeping outdoors during the day or night⁴