Dengue fever is no longer just a travel sickness. Now that the climate is warming, the vector mosquitoes in Europe can overwinter better than before. More than 80 locally acquired cases of dengue were reported in Italy last year (see video above).
The number has increased worldwide, especially on the American continent, a circular said on Friday. The Italian Ministry of Health has now called on regional authorities to monitor and combat the infection. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes and introduced invasive species, for example, pose a risk: a mild infection causes high fever and flu-like symptoms. A severe course of the disease can lead to severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure and even death.
Control blood donations
The disease mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, dengue fever is no longer just a travel illness due to introduced mosquito species and an increasingly warmer climate in Europe. Italian authorities have now been asked to identify all places where there is a risk and inform the public. Checks are planned for blood donations and health staff also need to be trained.
Last year, more than 80 locally acquired cases of dengue were reported in Italy, and more than 40 in France. Since last year, a vaccine has also been available in Austria. The Chikungunya vaccine from the Austrian-French manufacturer Valneva could soon also be available in Europe after approval in the US.
Source: Krone
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