Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
26 August 2014 09:36
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes
Climate change could increase the risk of holidaymakers coming into contact with dengue fever in Europe, experts have warned.
Dengue is a common viral infection which is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions where mosquitoes flourish, typically in areas with a warm and humid climate.
Those visiting areas of the world where dengue is present would be wise to make sure they have travel insurance, which can offer real peace of mind.
People who are travelling with an existing health condition such as diabetes should also make sure they arrange pre-existing medical travel insurance as research carried out at the Federal University in Brazil has previously highlighted a link between the two conditions.
Symptoms of dengue include a high temperature that can reach 41ºC; headache, p ain behind the eyes; and bone, muscle and joint pain.
People who develop such symptoms within two weeks of being abroad are urged to see their GP so they can help to manage the illness, which usually clears up within a couple of weeks.
However, many people travelling to European holiday destinations may not suspect they have dengue as it has not been highly associated with the region.
But experts warned such instances may become more common if climate change continues on its current trajectory.
In particular, they said visitors to coastal areas of the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas could face a greater risk, as well as tourists heading to the north-eastern part of Italy, especially the Po Valley.
Researchers from UEA's Norwich Medical School made their predictions using data from Mexico, where dengue is present. Using variables such as temperature, humidity and rainfall, they were able to come up with a model of where the illness might begin to pop up more often in the future, with details of their findings published in the journal BMC Public Health.
Cases of dengue fever are already on the rise, according to Public Health England, which revealed that there was a 58% increase among Britons returning home b etween 2012 and 2013. The health body also noted that there had been a rise in the number of cases linked to travel to Barbados.
19 April 2018
A self-injected smart drug may be the key to easing and preventing pain for migraine sufferers.
[more...]
17 April 2018
Despite its reputation as a party drug, ketamine is licensed as an anaesthetic. A recent US study found use of the drug via a nasal spray led to "significant" improvements in depressive symptoms in the first 24 hours.
Simple brain-training exercises carried out at home have been shown to reduce emotional stress in female breast cancer survivors, it's recently been revealed.
13 April 2018
Drinkers who consume more alcohol than UK guidelines suggest could be cutting years off their lives, according to new research.
12 April 2018
A recent study has revealed that people who sustain brain injuries are at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.
11 April 2018
Scientists have announced their latest breakthrough in the battle against Alzheimer's disease, after neutralising a high-risk gene in a human brain cell for the first time.
07 April 2018
The Philippines is set to shut its most famous holiday island of Boracay for six months, after the President described it as a "cesspool".
05 April 2018
Taxes on soft drinks, alcohol and tobacco - nicknamed "sin taxes" - could be a powerful step towards combating rising rates of chronic diseases worldwide, research has suggested.
New "one-stop shops" to speed up cancer diagnosis are being trialled across the country for the first time.
30 March 2018
Doctors should tell patients that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but not without risk, according to new national guidance.
29 March 2018
Young people suffering from mental health problems are finding it hard to get the support they need, a survey has revealed.
28 March 2018
Children exposed to epilepsy drugs in the womb may achieve poorer test results at school, a study has suggested.