European health authorities issue warnings as cases of dengue fever linked to travel to Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, raise concerns. The spread of the disease prompts alerts for travellers heading to the region, with symptoms and risks highlighted.
Dengue Fever Cases Linked to Sharm El-Sheik Travel Prompt Health Warnings
European health authorities have issued warnings after detecting cases of dengue fever among tourists returning from the popular resort of Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. Since June 10, 2024, three cases were reported in Italy. Dengue fever, spread by mosquitoes and known in the 1700s as ‘bone break fever’ due to its painful symptoms, has prompted the UK Foreign Office-backed travel health pro website to alert travelers heading to the region.
Symptoms of dengue fever, often mistaken for flu, typically appear 4-10 days after a mosquito bite. They include high temperature, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and a blotchy rash. Severe symptoms such as intense abdominal pain and bleeding can occur but are rare.
France has also reported 600 cases, many linked to travelers from Guadeloupe and Martinique. Health experts attribute the spread to climate change, which expands the habitats of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Statistics show a significant rise in cases in Argentina and southern Europe. In the UK, the number of imported malaria cases reached over 2,000 in 2023, reflecting a broader trend of increased travel and disease transmission post-pandemic.
Experts warn that global warming could make diseases like dengue endemic in new regions, necessitating heightened surveillance and preventive measures. Over half the world’s population may be at risk of mosquito-borne diseases by the end of the century.
