Dengue Fever

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. It is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which typically bite during the daytime. Dengue is common in tropical and subtropical regions and can range from a mild illness to a severe, potentially life-threatening disease.

Where is dengue fever found?

Dengue fever occurs in many tropical and subtropical regions, including:

• Southeast Asia
• South Asia
• Central and South America
• The Caribbean
• Africa
• The Pacific Islands

How is dengue fever spread?

Dengue fever is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes:

• Bite primarily during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Breed in standing water found in containers such as buckets, plant pots, tyres, and water storage containers.
• Are commonly found in urban and suburban areas.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. They may include:

• Sudden high fever
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash
• Fatigue

In some cases, dengue can progress to severe dengue, which may cause severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing, or shock and requires urgent medical attention.

Prevention

The risk of dengue fever can be reduced by:

• Using insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin.
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, particularly during the day.
• Sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or under mosquito nets where appropriate.
• Using insecticide-treated clothing or mosquito nets where recommended.
• Removing or avoiding areas with standing water where mosquitoes breed.
• Keeping doors and windows screened where possible.

Dengue vaccine

A dengue vaccine is available in the UK for eligible travellers. It may be recommended for individuals travelling to areas where dengue is common, depending on their destination, duration of travel, previous exposure to dengue, and individual risk factors.

How is the vaccine given?

• The vaccine is given by injection.
• The primary course consists of 2 doses.
• The second dose is administered 3 months after the first dose.

Who can receive the vaccine?

The dengue vaccine can be given to adults and children aged 4 years and over. During your travel health consultation, our pharmacist will assess your destination, itinerary, medical history, and individual risk factors to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate for you.

Who should consider vaccination?

Vaccination may be appropriate for travellers who:

• Are travelling to countries where dengue fever is common.
• Will be spending extended periods in high-risk areas.
• Are visiting during the rainy season.
• Will be staying in urban or suburban locations where Aedes mosquitoes are present.
• May have an increased risk of mosquito exposure due to their planned activities.

A travel health consultation can help determine whether the dengue vaccine is appropriate for your trip.