2024-09-14 01:15:39
Tropical virus on the rise
Italy reports first local dengue cases this year
13.09.2024 – 10:31 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The dengue virus is on the rise worldwide. Two cases have now been identified in Italy. The infected people had not previously traveled abroad.
Dengue fever was long considered a tropical disease that occurred primarily in regions of Asia, South America and Africa. But the risk of infection is no longer limited to the tropics. The virus is also spreading in southern Europe.
The first two local cases of dengue this year have recently been identified in Italy. Two people in the northern Italian provinces of Brescia and Reggio Emilia became infected with the disease, which is transmitted by certain species of mosquitoes, this summer – even though they had not previously traveled. This was announced by the Higher Institute of Health (ISS) in Rome.
Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes
Dengue is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes, especially in tropical and subtropical climates, and can be life-threatening. It can be transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes aegypti), which is also occasionally found in Germany. Many people show no symptoms after being infected, or only have a low fever. In severe cases, however, severe bleeding and organ damage can occur.
Dengue fever – these are the symptoms
The most common symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, weakness and fatigue.
No deaths so far
From January 1 to September 10, 2024, the Higher Institute of Health recorded a total of 412 dengue cases in Italy. With the exception of the two local cases, all of them became infected after traveling abroad. No deaths have been reported so far. Last year, there were a total of 275 dengue cases in Italy, 82 of which were autochthonous cases. These are infections that occur outside a region typical for transmission.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), almost four billion people worldwide live in dengue risk areas. It is estimated that around 400 million people are infected with the dengue virus every year.