Brits travelling to France have been urged to take caution as a case of “break bone fever” typically found in tropical climates has been detected there. Health authorities have confirmed its first “locally acquired” case of dengue fever in the south east of the country.
The infected person is from La Colle-sur-Loup, near Nice, according to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regional health agency (ARS Paca).
Unlike in other cases of dengue fever, they had not travelled to a contaminated area in the 15 days preceding symptoms.
Instead it is reported that they contracted the disease in metropolitan France.
This has raised concerns among health bodies as it means infected tiger mosquitoes, which are native to Asia, are not only present in France but spreading the disease.
As a result, authorities are working to eliminate the insects from the area.
ARS Paca said: “To prevent the spread of the disease, mosquito control is carried out by the Interdepartmental Agreement for Mosquito Control of the Mediterranean Coast (EID-Med) to the east of the municipality (public roads, private gardens).
“The goal: to eliminate potentially infected adult mosquitoes to prevent them from biting other people in the neighbourhood and to eliminate larval breeding sites.
“This mosquito control action will be supplemented by a door-to-door survey carried out by the ARS and Public Health France in the area concerned to identify people who may have symptoms, inform them of the conduct to adopt and disseminate prevention messages.
“Finally, hospitals, private doctors and medical analysis laboratories in the sector are also mobilised to care for and screen people who may present symptoms of dengue fever and report them to the ARS.”
Symptoms of dengue fever
Dengue fever is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is also known as “break bone” fever due to the severe bone pain it can cause.
However, many infected people will not display any symptoms.
For those who do, the WHO says the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash.
Other signs include:
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pains
- Vomiting
- Swollen glands.
Most people will get better in one to two weeks but some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.
Severe symptoms 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 get care right away,” the WHO says.
The NHS advises calling 111 if you feel unwell after travelling to a country where dengue is found.
However, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you have travelled to a country where dengue is found and you have symptoms of severe dengue.
Recently the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that tiger mosquitoes are becoming more prevalent in mainland Europe but they “have not yet become established in the UK”.
To avoid getting infected with dengue the NHS recommends when travelling in affected areas you:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening
- Use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET)
- Close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens
- Sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day.