Deadly virus spreading closer to UK - the nine symptoms you need to know
Fears are growing over the spread of the mosquito-borne Dengue fever as more European countries report a rise in cases.
The disease is becoming more prevalent across the world and hospitals in the worst-affected countries have become overwhelmed by sick patients in recent months. Bangladesh is currently grappling to control a record dengue outbreak in which 778 people have died. The disease is usually found in tropical countries, but it is also worryingly spreading through Europe due to the changes in climate change. Currently, the UK’s only established disease that is spread by ticks or mosquitoes is Lyme disease, but experts expect permanent groups of insects carrying pathogens like Dengue in the next 10 years. The disease is not found in the UK but is establishing a foothold in countries that are not far away.
Mosquito sucking human blood (Getty Images/iStockphoto)A report released last week by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlighted outbreaks in France and Italy. Since the first week of August and as of 11 September 2023, 19 locally acquired dengue fever cases have been detected in the Lombardy and Lazio regions in Italy. And in the 2023 transmission season, three clusters of autochthonous dengue virus transmissions have been identified so far in mainland France.
In a first for the French capital, health authorities in Paris fumigated parts of the city to kill disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes after their rapid advance through northern Europe. Two weeks ago, roads were closed and people were asked to stay in their homes while authorities got to work stamping out the pests. The EDC's report says: "Since the mosquito vector Aedes albopictus is established in most of Europe, further virus introductions leading to secondary autochthonous transmissions may occur in most of the southern countries of the EU/EEA."
Dengue usually results in mild or no symptoms but it can also lead to high fever, severe headache and vomiting. Severe dengue can result in bleeding from the gums, abdominal pain and eventually death. The World Health Organization said: "Most people who get dengue won’t have symptoms. But for those that do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will also get better in one to two weeks. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital."
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Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away and may include:
- severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting
- rapid breathing
- bleeding gums or nose
- fatigue
- restlessness
- blood in vomit or stool
- being very thirsty
- pale and cold skin
- feeling weak
People with these severe symptoms should seek medical care right away.
Professor Alain Kohl told the Mirror previously that these types of mosquitos are "quite common." He urged travellers to wear appropriate clothing, "although mosquitoes can potentially bite through material, so it's a good idea to figure out, if you're going somewhere with [dengue] to wear the right materials."
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