Dengue fever is spreading in Europe, with sporadic local cases reported in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal (Madeira) and Croatia. SOS International is therefore urging summer tourists not to forget mosquito repellent.

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans via mosquito bites, and it has so far been a risk of infection in areas with tropical and subtropical climates, such as in Asia, Africa and South America.

However, in recent years, several local cases have been recorded in Europe where the Asian tiger mosquito, which can carry the virus, has managed to survive. In 2023, a total of 105 local cases were recorded in Italy, France and Spain. In early 2024, several European countries have reported large increases in imported cases, suggesting that 2024 will be a year with even more local cases in Europe.

No reason to worry

Even if you are planning a trip to Southern Europe, there is no reason to worry. The risk of becoming infected in Europe is considered low, and dengue fever rarely develops into a serious condition in people who are already healthy and well, explains senior physician Raquel Martín-Iguacel, who is a physician in infectious diseases at Odense University Hospital and is affiliated with SOS International:

– The risk of becoming infected as a tourist in Europe is low. Relatively few local cases have been registered, and if the accident does occur, it is rare for healthy and well people to become seriously ill from the virus, says Raquel Martín-Iguacel.

If you are bitten by a mosquito in an area where there is an outbreak of dengue fever, you can safely wait and see what happens:

– Far from all mosquitoes carry the virus, so it is only if you develop symptoms that you should contact a doctor. If you are infected, the symptoms usually appear after 3-5 days, in the form of high fever, rash, headache and joint and muscle pain as in severe flu, says Raquel Martín-Iguacel.

It is not possible to test for the virus before the disease breaks out. Raquel Martín-Iguacel explains that many cases of dengue fever are asymptomatic or mild, but in rare cases the virus can lead to severe thrombocytopenia, in which case hospitalization is necessary. Most people recover within 1-2 weeks.

Vaccination against dengue fever

There is a vaccine against dengue fever, but it is not recommended when traveling in Europe, where the risk of infection is considered low.

To reduce the risk of infection, Swedish health authorities recommend protecting yourself against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents such as spray and insect nets.

How to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Use mosquito spray or other mosquito repellent on unprotected skin
• Wear clothing that covers as much of the body as possible
• Sleep under mosquito nets and with windows and doors closed.
• Be careful around standing water, where mosquitoes often thrive.