Dengue is a virus spread by mosquitoes that bite during the day. Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine to prevent it. The best you can do is avoid being bitten. It’s very common throughout south and south-east Asia, the Pacific, parts of Africa, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It’s particularly on the rise in Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia.
There are between 50 and 100 million cases of dengue every year, according to the World Health Organisation. Usually, if you get proper treatment, you’ll make a full recovery. However, if left untreated, it can result in dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). This is when you bleed internally and externally (from your nose and gums), causing your body to go into shock. This is very serious and can be fatal.
Who’s at risk?
Anyone can catch dengue if it’s in the area. But you’re more at risk if you:
- Travel during the rainy season. Mosquitoes breed in fresh standing water, such as puddles.
- Stay in cities, particularly slums with few or no public health measures.
- Stay in a region below 1,200m.
Continue to next section: Symptoms of dengue