Berlin. After an increase in cases of dengue fever, Italy raises the alert level. There will be controls at airports and ports.
After a severe outbreak of… dengue fever In Brazil and a global increase in cases, Italy is now taking the first measures. The Italian Health Ministry called on the country’s authorities to increase the alert level and vigilance at airports and ports against transport companies coming from countries and importing goods where there is a risk of contracting the disease.
In Brazil should be in the first four weeks of the year 217,841 probable cases of dengue fever had been registered, the Ministry of Health announced at the end of January. That was more than three times as many cases as in the same period a year earlier. The health authorities also counted 15 confirmed deaths and 149 others are still being investigated.
The heavy rains and high temperatures of the past few months are likely to be the trigger for the sharp increase. Under these conditions the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) develop particularly well, which transmits the dengue viruses. Brazil now has one Vaccination campaign started with a new vaccine against dengue fever.
Tiger mosquito spreads dengue fever: these are the symptoms
In addition to the yellow fever mosquito, the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) the virus. Dengue fever is widespread in the tropics and subtropics. An infection often manifests itself as an acute feverish illness with a very high temperature as well as severe headaches, muscle, bone and limb pain – and is also called “bone-breaker’s disease” because of the pain. Often they are Gradients However, it is mild and not everyone infected gets sick.
A female Asian tiger mosquito.
© picture alliance/dpa/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | James Gathany/CDC
According to estimates, there are around 390 million infections and up to 50,000 deaths caused by dengue fever worldwide every year. In Europe, dengue cases were reported in three countries in 2023. Italy is in first place with 82 cases, followed by France with 43 cases and Spain with three cases.
Also read: Dengue fever on Lake Garda? What holidaymakers need to know now
Dengue fever is the world’s most common and fastest-spreading mosquito-borne viral disease. Due to climate change, an increased incidence of dengue disease is expected, even in areas that have not yet been affected.
bef/dpa