People travelling to Italy have been issued a warning amid the outbreak of a tropical illness. The country has reported almost 200 cases of dengue fever – a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people.
Also known as break-bone fever because it can cause severe muscle and joint pain that feels like your bones are breaking, the illness can be serious and even lead to death in some cases.
It’s often found in tropical areas including parts of Africa and Asia and Central and South America. However, it is becoming increasingly common in other areas of the world.
According to an update from Travel Health Pro, a total of 173 “locally acquired” dengue cases have been reported in Italy since the start of 2024.
Locally acquired means the cases were caught in Italy, rather than by people travelling outside of the country who then brought it in.
The World Health Organisation has noted that the incidence of dengue has grown “dramatically” around the world in recent decades.
The WHO says: “The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in the WHO Regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The Americas, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions are the most seriously affected, with Asia representing around 70 percent of the global disease burden.
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“Dengue is spreading to new areas in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and South America. The largest number of dengue cases reported was in 2023.”
Symptoms
Dengue fever is a viral illness that spreads from infected Aedes mosquitoes to people.
In extreme cases it can be dangerous and even fatal. 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
Prevention
According to the WHO, you can lower the risk of getting dengue by protecting yourself from mosquito bites by using:
- Clothes that cover as much of your body as possible
- Mosquito nets if sleeping during the day, ideally nets sprayed with insect repellent
- Window screens
- Mosquito repellents (containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535)
- Coils and vaporisers
The NHS says you should call 111 or book an urgent GP appointment if you feel unwell after travelling to a country where dengue is found. It adds that 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.