With dengue cases surging around the world over the past few years, health experts are warning Canadian travelers to be aware of the risks when traveling to warmer climates, including popular destinations in the southern United States.
Source: Globalnews
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue cases have surged tenfold worldwide over the past 20 years. The number of reported infections transmitted to humans by mosquitoes increased dramatically from 500,000 in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019.
As the climate warms, Michael Libman, an infectious disease expert and professor at McGill University, warns that cases are likely to continue to rise, especially in warmer areas where Canadians seek refuge during the winter months.
"People have to be aware that when they go to any warm place in the world, they are almost always at risk of contracting diseases like dengue," Libman said. ”
"Canadians like to leave Canada in the winter and go to warmer places, and almost all of these places are mosquito-infested. ”
Source: Globalnews
The warning was issued by European climate agency Copernicus on Tuesday (9 January) in its annual report, saying 2023 was the hottest year on record. Last year, the global average temperature was 14.98 degrees Celsius, the highest on record since data began in 1850. The last warmest year was 2016, when the average temperature recorded globally was 14.81 degrees Celsius.
The report also found that July and August 2023 were the hottest months on record globally.
The dengue virus is not present in mosquitoes in Canada, but Libman warns that ongoing global warming due to climate change has created favorable conditions for mosquitoes carrying the virus.
"The risk of dengue does seem to be on the rise (in the tropics) and climate change seems to play a role in that, which is very important because climate change doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon," he said. "I think the risks are increasing and people may need to be more cautious. ”
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever, a disease transmitted to humans through the bite of a female mosquito, can cause severe flu-like symptoms that can be fatal in severe cases, the Canadian government said.
The disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, such as Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, South and Southeast Asia.
However, because the warm and humid environment helps mosquitoes breed, dengue fever is also starting to grow in places that were previously uncommon, such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona, as well as parts of southern Europe.
"Our biggest concern is that as regions like the southern U.S. and Europe warm year over year, we're seeing more and more mosquitoes being able to carry dengue in these areas," Libman said. ”
Symptoms of dengue fever
Usually these include a sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and minor bleeding. In some cases, dengue infection may progress to a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be life-threatening. It can cause more severe symptoms, such as persistent vomiting and difficulty breathing.
But Libman says most infected people have few or no symptoms. A very small number of people who are "very sick" can develop fatal complications.
"Nothing automatically tells you about dengue, 'Oh, I have dengue. And most importantly...... It's just a fever," he explained. "Some people describe it as pain all over the body and feel like being hit by a bus. But not everyone gets sick. ”
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There is currently no treatment for dengue.
Hotter Earth means more dengue fever
Libman said the current El Niño phenomenon has led to increased humidity and rainfall, leading to the spread of mosquitoes and dengue cases. He added that another, more worrying cause is climate change.
"Over the past few decades, climate change itself has made more parts of the world more suitable for mosquitoes," Libman warns. ”
"We are seeing an upward trend in dengue fever in many parts of the world, and it is often seen in areas of the world where dengue fever has not been there before because they are not very friendly to this type of mosquito. ”
Source: Globalnews
Travel advice related to dengue fever
The Canadian government has no travel advice for dengue but says on its website that "all travelers are at risk in areas where dengue fever occurs." ”
There are risks throughout the day, especially around sunrise and sunset. Mosquitoes can spread dengue fever even in a shady place, on a cloudy day or indoors, the website warns.
Unlike malaria, which is very regional in some parts of the world, Libman explains, dengue fever spreads globally – mostly in warm places where mosquitoes are present.
Dengue fever is found in places where mosquito control may not be very good.
How to stay safe
While there are some vaccines available in dengue-endemic areas of the world like Thailand, none are currently available to Canadians, Libman said.
At the same time, when it comes to staying safe in tropical and subtropical regions, the most important thing is the method of prevention.
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"Dengue fever is primarily about protecting yourself from mosquito bites," Libman says. ”
It is advisable to use insect repellent, wear long clothing, stay in accommodation with air conditioning or screens, and avoid areas with standing water.
"If you happen to live in a place where there is no air conditioning, no window screens, then you should use a mosquito net at the bedside," Libman advises.
"But that's all we have at the moment," he said. "We are looking forward to having a fairly effective vaccine. But at the moment we don't have that capability. ”