The best way to protect yourself from dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites and, if you’re eligible, consider dengue vaccination before you travel. There’s currently no specific cure for dengue once you’re infected, so prevention is your best defence. Dengue is common across much of the tropics and subtropics, and outbreaks can occur with little warning, even in places many travellers visit regularly.
Here, we’ll look at why dengue is still a concern for travellers, the simple steps you can take to avoid mosquito bites, and who may be eligible for the dengue vaccine before setting off.
Why Dengue Fever Is a Real Risk for Travellers
Dengue is one of the most common mosquito-borne infections travellers can pick up. Most cases are mild, but a small number can become serious and need hospital treatment.
The WHO estimates that around 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries across Asia, the Americas, and Africa. Most people recover within a week or two, but some develop severe dengue, which requires urgent medical care.
Dengue Prevention: Avoiding Mosquito Bites While Travelling
When it comes to dengue prevention while travelling, avoiding mosquito bites is your main line of defence. The NHS confirms that this is the most effective way to reduce your risk.
Cover Up and Use Repellent
Wear long sleeves and trousers where practical, particularly in the early morning and evening when the mosquitoes that spread dengue are most active. Apply a DEET-based insect repellent to exposed skin and reapply it as directed.
Protect Your Sleeping and Living Space
Close windows and doors where possible, or use screens and blinds, and sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide. These mosquitoes bite during the day too, so daytime precautions matter just as much as night-time ones.
Dengue Vaccination: Who It's Recommended For
Dengue vaccination in the UK is not routinely recommended for every traveller heading to a dengue-risk destination. The vaccine, Qdenga, is recommended by the JCVI for people aged 4 and over who have previously had a confirmed dengue infection and are travelling again to a risk area.
The vaccine is given as two doses, three months apart, so you’ll need to allow enough time to complete the course before travelling. It isn’t funded on the NHS for travel purposes.
Recognising Dengue Symptoms While Travelling
Dengue can feel a lot like flu, so it isn’t always easy to recognise at first. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden high fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- A skin rash
Seek urgent medical help if you develop warning signs of severe dengue, such as:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Unusual bleeding, such as bleeding from the gums or nose
- Extreme tiredness
Protect Yourself Before You Travel
It’s worth thinking about dengue protection before you leave rather than waiting until you arrive. At Oakwood Pharmacy in Woodhouse Eaves, we’ll look at your destination, itinerary and medical history and advise you on the right prevention measures and, where appropriate, dengue vaccination. We also support residents across Loughborough, Quorn, Mountsorrel, Coalville, Barrow upon Soar and Woodhouse, so you can get your travel health advice locally.
You can book a consultation to discuss your travel plans. A little preparation before you go can make it much easier to enjoy your trip with fewer health worries.
