Public health scientists fear that the Olympics, scheduled to be held in Paris next July, could become a dengue “superspreader event.”
This fear comes after reports of a strange rash appearing among a number of tourists in France, which turned out to be the result of mosquito bites carrying the dengue virus.
Reported symptoms include muscle and joint pain, a burning sensation inside the eyes, and fatigue, which are classic symptoms of dengue fever. These symptoms usually appear between 24 to 48 hours after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Those affected also suffer from severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, facial redness, and muscle and joint pain, giving the disease the nickname “bone crusher,” in addition to nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Experts have warned that climate change is making the Mediterranean region more hospitable to mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus, and they estimate that this type of dengue kills half of the people who suffer from it.
The Daily Mail newspaper, which published the news, said that dengue fever in Europe is likely to get worse, and we should expect this to continue in the near term.
Prevention is the best way to avoid contracting dengue fever, as people visiting areas where the disease is widespread are advised to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to mosquito bites, such as using mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing.
The National Health Service has now issued a warning to people that dengue fever poses a risk to European holiday destinations such as Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Madeira between spring and autumn.
Morocco announces the rescue of 118 irregular migrants