The dengue emergency in Brazil is worrying Europe. The virus is rampant worldwide. Italy is tightening controls to prevent the virus from being introduced.
Rome – Fear of dengue fever in Italy is growing. The alert level has been increased at airports and ports, reports the Italian TV station Rai. The Italian Ministry of Health has called on authorities to be particularly vigilant with transport companies. Especially if they come from countries or import goods where there is a risk of contracting the disease. Dengue cases should be intercepted.
Dengue alert: Italy increases security measures at airports and ports
The dengue virus spread on Lake Garda in the summer of 2023. Entire streets were sprayed with pesticides. Residents were asked to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to generally drive away mosquitoes. What's special about these cases is that the dengue fever was locally acquired. The patients were infected with the tropical virus in Italy. The news didn't just scare vacationers.
Only the tiny Aedes mosquitoes, also known as tiger mosquitoes, transmit the virus to people. The creatures with their distinctive white stripes originally come from Southeast Asia. But the living conditions for mosquitoes in Italy are dangerously good. Experts warn that the imported animals could spread even in winter.
“It happens that mosquitoes that survived the flight have led to outbreaks around airports,” Fabrizio Pregliasco of the University of Milan said loudly today.it. The scientist emphasizes that it is important to use aircraft in a targeted manner, just as in the fight against malaria. There is also a risk of an outbreak of dengue fever.
Dengue fever is rampant in Brazil – the risk for Europe and Italy is growing
The situation in Brazil is dramatic. The dengue virus is currently spreading rapidly. Hospitals there are sometimes at their limits. A health emergency was declared in Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of February. The Federal Foreign Office also reports that health authorities fear a further increase in the number of cases due to the carnival season and the current rainy season.
Dengue fever is widespread in South America. This year, however, it is particularly bad. At the end of December, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the spread of the tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) and thus of an increase Dengue fever infections in Europe.
In 2023, Italy reported 82 locally transmitted infections, France 43 and Spain 3. European countries still have the chance to prevent the mosquitoes from spreading further. Climate change and travel are largely responsible for the spread of dengue fever in Europe. And: The eggs could survive the winter in Europe and also in Germany and larvae could hatch when it is warmer.
Dengue alarm in Italy – These are the symptoms of an infection with the dengue virus
Dengue fever develops in about five to seven days after a mosquito bite. In addition to a high fever (40 degrees Celsius) and severe pain, the following symptoms can occur:
- High fever with headache
- Pain around and behind the eyes
- severe pain in muscles and joints
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash can appear all over the body 4 to 4 days after the onset of fever
- In rare cases, life-threatening complications and bleeding
Source: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
According to the Tropical Institute at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, fatigue after a dengue infection and occasional hair loss are also possible. Most patients recover after a few days.
Mosquito alarm in Italy: How to protect yourself from the dengue virus
The dengue virus is transmitted by diurnal mosquitoes. It is therefore important to generally avoid mosquito bites. Arms and legs should be completely covered. To do this, it is recommended to apply insect repellents to the skin or to impregnate clothing with them. Mosquito nets on windows and doors can keep the beasts out.
A vaccination against dengue has now been approved in Italy and Germany. The basic immunization consists of two vaccinations three months apart. The Stiko (Standing Vaccination Commission) only recommends vaccination to people who have already proven to have had a dengue infection (as of November 2023). In addition to the dengue virus, the chikungunya virus is also under observation in Italy as a holiday destination. In the summer, Trieste reported the first case of chikungunya virus. (ml)
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