NOTICE: Increased dengue activity in tropical and subtropical countries
Dengue fever is becoming more prevalent worldwide, and Latin America is no exception. Disease surveillance efficacy varies from country to country, and epidemics are not always reported in all countries. For this reason, travelers may not learn that a dengue epidemic is under way before they arrive at a particular destination.
Although the risk of dengue infection for the international traveler is low, it is possible that travelers may become infected with dengue during visits to countries in Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Central and South America, and Africa, especially if an outbreak is in progress. The viruses that cause dengue are constantly present, and many of these areas have had multiple epidemics. The risk of contracting dengue is greater in urban areas and there is less risk in rural and areas of high altitude, above 4500 feet (1500 meters). At this time, CDC has not issued a traveler’s advisory regarding travel to any country where dengue is occurring. Travelers are advised to follow the recommendations detailed below to decrease their risk of infection.
Dengue fever is a serious viral disease that is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The mosquito’s biting activity is greatest in the morning for several hours after daybreak and in the late afternoon for several hours before dark. However, the mosquito sometimes feeds throughout the entire day indoors, or in nearby areas protected from direct sunlight. In addition, Aedes aegypti sometimes feeds indoors during the night if lights are turned on. This mosquito breeds in manmade containers that can collect or hold water, such as cans, barrels, buckets, 55-gallon drums, discarded tires, flower vases, and cisterns, all of which are frequently found in the domestic urban environment.
The risk of getting dengue is reduced if you: (1) spend most of your time in air-conditioned buildings, hotels, or other closed environments that mosquitoes cannot easily enter, (2) spend some time at beaches or in forested areas where mosquitoes are generally less abundant or (3) avoid highly populated residential areas.
Dengue fever may begin suddenly. The symptoms usually include high fever, severe headache, and joint and muscle pain. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash may appear 3 to 4 days after the fever begins and may spread from the torso to the arms, legs, and face. These early symptoms do not usually last more than 7 days. In general there are no long-term effects of dengue infection. On rare occasions, dengue may appear as a severe and potentially fatal disease called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
There is no medication to cure a dengue infection. Travelers should advise their physicians of
any illness with fever occurring within weeks of leaving a tropical area. If you think you may have dengue, you
should:
No vaccine is available for dengue, but travelers can protect themselves by following these general recommendations for preventing mosquito bites:
-Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain about 30% DEET. Use aerosols in open spaces to avoid inhalation.
-Because repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, avoid applying repellent to the hands of young children.
-Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
-Spray your clothing with repellents containing Permethrin or DEET, since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
-Use mosquito netting over the bed if your bedroom is not air-conditioned or screened. For additional protection, spray the mosquito netting with an insecticide containing Permethrin.
-Spray Permethrin or a similar insecticide in your bedroom before going to bed.
-Whenever you use insecticide or insect repellent read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: Vitamin B and ultrasound devices DO NOT prevent mosquito bites effectively.