Press
According to crisis early warning expert A3M, the risk of dengue fever continues to increase. The number of cases is also rising in southern European holiday destinations.
In the past, travelers in Europe hardly had to worry about dengue fever. The viral disease occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, and in cities there. This year, however, the numbers have risen enormously: in Brazil alone, over 2 million cases were registered by March. And on the holiday island of Bali, the authorities also reported a rapid increase in infections. For this reason, the local health ministry is now recommending that locals and vacationers get a dengue vaccination. The crisis early warning expert A3M also warns of the increasing danger from the dengue virus. Even in Europe there have already been cases that were not the result of a vacation trip.
Risk of dengue fever also increases in Europe
Globally, cases of dengue fever fell between 2000 and 2019, according to the World Health Organization WHO increased tenfold. Around half of the world’s population is now potentially at risk of infection. The problem has no longer been limited to the tropics, as Marcel Conrad, Chief Content Manager at A3M, said in a statement. “The situation in southern Europe is certainly worrying,” says Conrad. “The combination of the vector mosquito, sufficient virus carriers in the population and climatic conditions creates an ideal environment for the spread of dengue fever.”
In the recent past, autochthonous cases have been reported more frequently in southern Europe. This means that the sick people have become infected in their own region, although the virus does not usually occur there. Such infections have occurred in popular summer holiday destinations such as Italy, France, Spain and Croatia. The Foreign Office is also now warning Italy, France and Spain about diurnal Aedes mosquitoes that can occasionally transmit dengue viruses in the summer months. Last year, there was an outbreak in Lombardy in Italy, and infections have also been reported on Lake Garda. In 2023, a total of 82 cases were counted in Italy. According to the German Press Agency (dpa), there are 43 cases in France and three cases in Spain.
But travelers who are vacationing in western Turkey, Cyprus and regions on the Black Sea should also be careful. The spread of dengue fever is also possible here, as the mosquito that transmits it is found there.
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How does dengue fever manifest itself?
According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), dengue fever is usually transmitted through the bite of the Egyptian tiger mosquito (Aedes agyptii). In southern Europe, however, it was primarily another subspecies of Aedes mosquitoes, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), that transmitted the dengue virus. In most cases, an infection causes no or mild symptoms that subside after a week at the latest. If the disease becomes more noticeable, the following symptoms may occur:
- Fever up to 40 degrees
- chills
- Headache (severe feeling of pressure behind the eyes)
- Severe muscle pain and joint pain
- Rash with small, pale red spots on the body
- Swollen lymph nodes
- nausea
In particularly severe cases, dengue fever can become life-threatening. It causes abdominal pain, vomiting, shortness of breath and impaired consciousness. This in turn can lead to circulatory and organ failure.
How do travelers protect themselves from dengue infection?
According to Conrad from A3M, anyone traveling in an affected region should take certain precautions. These include mosquito repellent, clothing that covers the entire body, and vaccinations. According to Conrad, air conditioning also minimizes the risk of being bitten. A3M recommends that travelers find out about the current situation and risks before going on vacation. The Federal Foreign Office, among others, provides information on this.