Where?

Dengue occurs in all tropical regions and especially in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Every year, more than two billion people from 100 countries are at risk of infection.

How?

The infection is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, in particular the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during daylight hours and can also transmit the chikungunya and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes are found in areas close to human habitation. They breed in water-filled containers such as old car tires, empty cans, barrels, buckets, flower vases, gutters, etc.

What?

There are two types of infection. Dengue fever is a flu-like illness, with symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, and red skin rashes. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the more severe type. In those cases, bruising, bleeding nose or gums, restlessness, and thirst will then occur, in addition to the symptoms already mentioned. Furthermore, hemorrhage and shock can occur. This can be fatal. Dengue hemorrhagic fever with shock occurs almost exclusively in travelers who have previously had dengue.

What you can do

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue bite during the day, between sunrise and sunset. Make sure you protect yourself from bites in the meantime:

• Wear as much covering clothing as possible.
• Use a mosquito repellent on uncovered skin that contains at least 30% DEET or a mosquito repellent with Icaridin.
• Keep your room free of mosquitoes and always use a mosquito net if available.
• Use a mosquito net during the afternoon rest and for babies. Are you in a malaria area? Then definitely use the mosquito net at night as well. 
• A vaccine against dengue has been available since April 2023.