Dengue fever is causing the alarm on Lake Garda. There are other cases. Only mosquitoes transmit the virus. What holidaymakers now need to know about symptoms and protection.
Manerba – The European Disease Control Agency ECDC is closely monitoring dengue cases in Lake Garda communities. In its latest report, the ECDC speaks of a “Lombardy cluster”. What is special about these cases is that dengue fever has been “locally acquired”. So patients are in Italy infected with the tropical virus. None of them were traveling. Dengue is only transmitted through mosquito bites. In rare cases, the disease can be fatal. The Federal Foreign Office points out dengue fever to travelers to Lake Garda and Italy in the travel information.
Dengue fever at Lake Garda – Federal Foreign Office updates Italy travel advice for vacationers
The first dengue case in Lombardy – without travel history – was officially confirmed by the Italian authorities on August 18, 2023. This was followed by a patient from Lazio (August 21) who had to be treated in a hospital. By September 1st, six cases of dengue had been recorded in Italy, according to the ECDC in its latest weekly report (as of August 27th to September 2nd). Safety measures are already underway in Italy to contain the local dengue outbreak on Lake Garda. There is an anti-mosquito regulation for the population and special companies spray insecticides in the affected streets.
In the hospitals, the alert level is increased. Because the typical symptoms are flu-like. However, in rare cases, complications arise from dengue fever. It is all the more important for vacationers, according to the Tropical Institute of the Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universityto know the symptoms of dengue infection. The The Foreign Office in Berlin points out in its Italy travel advice to dengue fever (as of September 3, 2023).
These are the typical symptoms of dengue fever
Dengue fever is transmitted to humans only through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes – diurnal Aedes mosquitoes – must have previously bitten an infected human. The Italian Ministry of Health also emphasizes that there is no direct infection from person to person. The virus circulates in the blood of the infected person for two to seven days. During this time, the mosquito can pick up the dengue virus again and pass it on to other people.
The typical symptoms of a dengue infection are similar to those of a flu-like illness, such as fever and body aches. The Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) names the complaints precisely and expressly points out that typical symptoms in children are often absent. The virus or antibodies can be detected in the blood by laboratory tests.
- Dengue or dengue fever symptoms
- High fever with headache
- Pain around and behind the eyes
- severe pain in muscles and joints
- nausea and vomiting
- Rashes or skin irritation that can appear anywhere on the body three to four days after the onset of the fever
- In rare cases, life-threatening complications and bleeding
- Source: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
According to the Tropical Institute of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, exhaustion after a dengue infection and occasional hair loss are also possible.
This is how holidaymakers protect themselves from dengue fever
Dengue fever is caused by diurnal mosquitoes of the genus Aedes – such as the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). It is important to avoid mosquito bites by all means. Since the critters bite during the day, it is advisable to cover arms, legs – skin completely with clothing and to use insect repellent. Putting mosquito nets on windows and doors to keep the bloodsuckers out. The experts from the Munich Tropical Institute have summarized the most important tips:
- wear appropriate clothing: light colors, long-sleeved, airy
- Additionally impregnate clothing with insect sprays containing permethrin
- Apply mosquito repellent to the skin repeatedly
- Source: Tropical Institute of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Is there a vaccination against dengue fever?
In addition to individual protective measures against mosquito bites, there is now a vaccine against the dengue virus. A vaccine has been available since 2023. The basic immunization consists of two vaccinations that are given three months apart.
Fight with drastic measures Paris against the spread of tiger mosquitoes: Whole streets were closed, the population asked to stay in their homes.(ml)