A mosquito-borne infection has begun to spread in Europe due to extreme weather conditions. The dangerous situation is observed in 13 countries. Find out where the risk of infection is higher and how to protect yourself from it

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Europe is experiencing an increase in dengue fever cases, which calls into question the popularity of tourism in the region. However, doctors urge not to panic, as there are ways to reduce the risk of infection. Here's what we know about the situation and what recommendations are given to tourists.

New data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that the number of both local and imported dengue cases increased sharply last year, as higher temperatures contributed to the spread of pathogenic mosquitoes, Euronews reports.

It is also noted that climate change is making summer holiday planning more and more unpredictable: flooded airports and periods of extreme heat are among the biggest problems that tourists have to face. Dengue fever has added to these problems.

What do you need to know about dengue fever?

Dengue is transmitted by tiger mosquitoes, which currently live in 13 European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. This list includes many of the most popular holiday destinations on the continent. 

What are the symptoms?

Most people who are infected with dengue do not experience symptoms. They usually appear four to ten days after infection and last for two to seven days. 

Some of them are similar to the flu, such as high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain.

The latter symptoms are so severe that dengue fever has been nicknamed "bone fever". In five per cent of people, the disease can be severe and potentially fatal.

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How to protect yourself from mosquitoes and potential infection?

There are simple personal protective measures you can take to reduce the risk of mosquito bites while abroad. 

These include covering up, ideally wearing lighter coloured clothing as darker materials tend to attract them more. Wearing mosquito repellent is a must. Those containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin are preferable to those based on essential oils.

Mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus bite during the day, but you should take precautions at night. 

EDCD advises using a bed net or window and door net, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Strong fans can disorient insects and make it difficult for them to land.

Since mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, don't give them that opportunity. Even something as small as a water bottle cap is enough for their larvae to develop as far as possible, and keep an eye on gardens or balconies in the building where you are staying.

Also, do not forget that you need to take care of your safety in advance. Before travelling, be sure to take out an insurance policy that will provide you with access to fast and reliable medical care. Even if you are confident about your trip, do not rely on luck, but rather prepare well for your trip abroad. You can take out a travel insurance policy here.

We remind you! We wrote that the European tourist season of 2024 is under threat due to the abnormal heat wave. To find out how extreme weather conditions affect popular resorts and which countries are most affected, follow the link.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit Ukraine

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