British holidaymakers could be at increased risk of dengue if they travel to the south of France after a 44-year-old woman contracted it there.
Experts warn that the tropical disease could lead to further outbreaks due to climate change.
Asian tiger mosquitoes, which transmit the virus, thrive in warmer temperatures and there are concerns that it is now an emerging health threat in southern France.
The 44-year-old British woman, whose identity is unknown, contracted dengue in a small town near Nice in September.
She had fever, headache, muscle aches and a red rash for three days, but did not require medical treatment and made a full recovery.
Tropical diseases such as dengue, which cause 50 to 100 million cases annually in more than 120 countries, may be on our way in the long term, experts warn. We can call for a wider use of public health control measures such as bed nets or bug sprays. Asian tiger mosquitoes, which transmit the virus, thrive in warmer temperatures and there are concerns that it is now an emerging health threat in southern France
Her case was presented this year at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen.
Presenting it, Dr Owain Donnelly from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London said: “This individual was part of an outbreak of more than 30 locally transmitted cases in the south of France in 2022, underscoring the rapidly changing epidemiology of dengue.
“With climate change, especially higher temperatures and more precipitation, and increased global trade and tourism, we may see more parts of Europe with the right combination of factors for dengue outbreaks.”
Southern France has the right combination of climate, a stable mosquito population and a large number of travelers returning from trips to tropical countries to cause outbreaks.
Read more: Warning for British tourists as Ibiza hits dengue alert after holidaymakers on island contract illness
There have been several dengue outbreaks over the past 15 years, but the most recent is the most severe to date.
As for the threat to Britain, officials have spotted Asian tiger mosquitoes, whose scientific name is Aedes albopictus, in British ports several times in recent years, but no local population has yet been established in that country.
But tropical diseases like dengue, which cause 50 to 100 million cases a year in more than 120 countries, may be our way in the long run if we can demand wider use of public health measures like bed nets or repellents. spray.
The British holidaymaker was diagnosed by Britain’s Rare Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) after visiting an emergency room after returning to the UK and doctors sending in an urgent sample for analysis.
Relatives with whom she lived in France also had similar symptoms.
Dengue fever, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, causes no symptoms in an estimated three-quarters of cases and often causes only mild flu-like symptoms.
But a small minority of people experience headaches, severe joint pain and even internal bleeding that can lead to death.
Between June and September 2022, France’s Agence Regionale de Santé (ARS) reported three separate outbreaks of dengue virus transmission acquired on national territory without patients traveling abroad.
Dr. Donnelly said: “To ensure an accurate diagnosis, doctors should consider testing for dengue if patients live or have been in countries where Aedes albopictus is present and present with the typical constellation of symptoms, even if dengue is not widespread not.
“Making the correct diagnosis not only affects patients, but also allows us to better understand the spread of dengue and take appropriate steps to combat outbreaks.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
