Travelers Should Beware of Mosquitoes, Dengue Fever

Article

If your travel plans include a Caribbean cruise or another tropical destination, the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers a convincing reason to pack the mosquito repellant -- dengue fever.

 

Certain mosquitoes spread dengue fever, a severe flu-like illness that leaves you feeling miserable for one to two weeks. Dengue fever is a major health concern, with an estimated 50 million dengue infections occurring every year. Theres no treatment other than bed rest, plenty of fluids and medication to reduce fever.

 

Less commonly, potentially deadly hemorrhagic dengue fever may develop, requiring emergency hospital care. Hemorrhagic dengue fever is more likely if youre infected with a second dengue virus after having one previously.

 

Dengue virus is constantly present in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, North and South America, islands of the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in Texas and in the southeastern United States.

 

If you have returned from a destination where the dengue virus is present and you develop a fever, see a doctor as soon as possible. A blood test can determine if you have an active dengue virus.

 

The best remedy is prevention: avoid mosquito bites. Use mosquito repellant with a DEET content of 30 to 35 percent and wear protective clothing.

 

Source: Mayo Clinic

Newsletter

Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.

Recent Videos
Brenna Doran PhD, MA, hospital epidemiology and infection prevention for the University of California, San Francisco, and a coach and consultant of infection prevention; Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, director of infection prevention and control for Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Shanina Knighton, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing and senior nurse scientist at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio
Brenna Doran PhD, MA, hospital epidemiology and infection prevention for the University of California, San Francisco, and a coach and consultant of infection prevention; Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, director of infection prevention and control for Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Shanina Knighton, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing and senior nurse scientist at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio
Brenna Doran PhD, MA, hospital epidemiology and infection prevention for the University of California, San Francisco, and a coach and consultant of infection prevention; Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, director of infection prevention and control for Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Shanina Knighton, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing and senior nurse scientist at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.