Dengue Vaccination (dengue fever)

Dengue (dengue fever) is a disease associated with fever, headache and muscle and joint pain. Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted by certain mosquitoes (Aedes mosquito) that bite during the day. Dengue occurs mainly in urban areas in Asia, South and Central America and Africa. The mosquitoes preferentially sting humans and not animals. The disease is not transmissible from person to person.

In travellers, dengue usually manifests as flu-like illness, quite often with sudden high fever, sometimes with chills and a rarely severe course. The symptoms usually last for 5 to 7 days. After the illness, one may suffer from fatigue for a long time, weeks to sometimes months. Eventually, one recovers. There are 4 different dengue viruses. If after going through dengue, one is later infected by another dengue virus, a serious illness with bleeding tendency and shock can develop. This is cause of death of children in dengue-affected areas, the chances of travellers contracting it are low.

Dengue can be prevented by using mosquito repellents. Covering the skin helps through long sleeves and trouser legs, socks & closed shoes. Make sure rooms are mosquito-free or sleep under an intact and tight-fitting mosquito net.