Dangerous mosquito chew Number of dengue instances is rising worldwide: What you could find out about dengue fever
The tiger mosquito transmits dengue fever
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by Leonie Zimmermann and Rebecca Häfner May 16, 2024, 9:12 p.m. 2 min.
A illness transmitted by mosquitoes is inflicting a stir. Recently, dengue fever has unfold massively in Peru and Brazil. The most vital questions and solutions.
In Brazil, the variety of dengue infections reached its peak in March of this 12 months: over two million dengue instances, because the Tropical Institute reported. A public well being emergency was declared in Peru in February resulting from a pointy enhance in dengue instances. The illness is transmitted by mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the variety of instances reported worldwide elevated tenfold between 2000 and 2019, from 500,000 to five.2 million. Dengue numbers will even have elevated worldwide in 2023. The WHO classifies the chance worldwide as excessive in view of the rising numbers. But what do you could know concerning the illness and what’s the scenario in Germany? An overview:
How do I acknowledge a doable an infection with dengue fever?
The virus is often acknowledged by three signs that happen on the identical time: fever, rash and headache, limb or joint ache. In uncommon instances, inner bleeding and shock additionally happen.
Can I die from dengue fever?
With at this time’s healthcare system, most instances are simply treatable. This implies that long-term penalties hardly ever happen. In 1.5 p.c of infections, the illness turns into extreme and might result in dying. However, with early detection, the dying fee falls beneath one p.c.
What can I do to guard myself from an infection?
The most secure safety towards an infection is dependable mosquito repellent. The virus is transmitted by yellow fever mosquitoes. Occasionally additionally from tiger mosquitoes. So for those who forestall a mosquito chew through the use of mosquito repellent, you’re additionally defending your self from dengue fever. You may also keep away from nonetheless waters and put on a mosquito internet.
Can I get vaccinated towards dengue fever?
A vaccination towards dengue fever is beneficial for those who typically journey to tropical areas, as a result of the mosquitoes that transmit it are significantly energetic there. There are at present two authorized vaccines towards the virus in Europe, which since February 2023 you possibly can have injected by your loved ones physician or a tropical drugs physician, even whereas on trip.
Does dengue fever additionally exist in Germany?
In Germany there haven’t but been any registered instances that had been confirmed to have been transmitted by a mosquito. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), round 600 instances in 2018 and over 1,000 instances in 2019 had been imported infections, largely from Southeast Asia.
In its present report on dengue fever instances in Germany, the RKI writes that there was a pointy enhance in dengue instances in Germany initially of 2024. This is because of the excessive variety of instances in endemic areas, i.e. in components of the tropics and subtropics the place the fever is widespread. The US well being authority CDC lists the chance areas for dengue fever worldwide. According to the CDC, France, Croatia and Madeira are at sporadic threat on the European continent. Means: There has been confirmed to be no less than one regionally acquired dengue case within the final ten years.
What must you contemplate when touring to international locations like Peru or Brazil with excessive numbers of dengue instances?
The Federal Foreign Office informs that vacationers in Brazil and Peru ought to pay explicit consideration to good mosquito safety throughout the day and within the night. “Mosquito repellents can be found within the nation, however not all of them within the needed focus. You ought to due to this fact deliver them from Germany, no less than to start out with,” it says. In order to obtain a vaccination, the Federal Foreign Office recommends particular person medical recommendation earlier than the journey, particularly for longer stays.
Sources: CDC, Tropical Institute, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Foreign Office, RKI, Foreign Office 2, RKI 2, Tropical Institute 2
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