2024-05-23 21:25:26
Dengue fever is spreading worldwide. The variety of circumstances of sickness can be rising dramatically in Germany.
Dengue fever was lengthy thought-about a tropical illness that occurred primarily in areas of Asia, South America and Africa. However the threat of an infection is now not restricted to the tropics. The virus can be spreading in southern Europe. Specialists at the moment are warning of a number of outbreaks of the infectious illness worldwide. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has additionally revealed present figures from Germany.
The “Epidemiological Bulletin” states: “Within the first 17 weeks of 2024, 737 circumstances of dengue fever (…) have been reported thus far. That is 324 % greater than in the identical interval final 12 months (174 circumstances).” One dying was additionally reported.
Nonetheless, this can’t be defined by elevated journey exercise, however quite by elevated case numbers in lots of endemic areas the place German vacationers are additionally turning into contaminated.
What does endemic imply?
An infectious illness is endemic if it happens in a persistent, frequent method in a selected area and/or at a selected time. Dengue fever is taken into account endemic in tropical and subtropical areas.
The truth is, there’s presently a world outbreak of the illness. Brazil not too long ago reported over 5 million circumstances this 12 months alone, with virtually 2,900 deaths. There are round 390 million infections worldwide yearly, of which round 25,000 are estimated to be deadly. In 2019 alone, infections had been documented in 129 nations.
Huge outbreak in South America
What’s of specific concern to specialists is that the variety of so-called autochthonous circumstances is rising. In southern Europe, for instance, infections have gotten extra frequent in areas the place the virus doesn’t really happen, however was not launched by vacationers. In line with the WHO, such circumstances have been documented in Europe in Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, amongst others.
What’s autochthonous?
The time period autochthonous an infection is used to emphasise that the pathogen inflicting this an infection doesn’t usually happen on this area.
Italy stays the chief in Europe. In 2023, indigenous outbreaks had been reported in three European nations: 82 circumstances in Italy, 43 in France and three circumstances in Spain.
The explanation for the outbreaks in Europe is the unfold of the Asian tiger mosquito, which is definitely native to the tropics however also can unfold in Europe as a result of local weather change (learn extra about it right here).
These signs seem when there’s an an infection
Dengue fever is attributable to flaviviruses and reveals varied signs that often subside with none penalties. Solely about one in 4 contaminated individuals present any signs in any respect, most individuals turn into ailing with out signs. In about one to 5 % of circumstances, the illness could be extreme and even deadly.
Typical indicators of sickness embody fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, limb ache or bone ache. The latter led to the normal identify “bone-breaking fever”. There may be additionally a patchy pores and skin rash. Issues can result in inner bleeding and shock. If there’s a extreme drop in blood stress, it may be deadly. Nonetheless, extreme circumstances usually solely happen after repeated an infection with the virus.
How are you going to defend your self?
The Standing Vaccination Fee subsequently recommends that folks (4 years of age and older) who’ve beforehand been ailing with the virus obtain a journey vaccination with the Qdenga vaccine if they’re touring to nations with a present outbreak or to areas the place the virus is endemic (tropics, subtropics). .
As a preventative measure, it stays to make sure enough safety in opposition to mosquito bites. Put on long-sleeved clothes and use mosquito repellent. In threat areas, it’s advisable to sleep underneath a mosquito web at night time.