The Northern Territory (NT) Centre for Disease Control (CDC) warns travellers to protect themselves against dengue and disease-carrying mosquitoes when overseas. Over 103 cases of dengue fever, acquired elsewhere, were reported in the NT in 2016, a jump from 61 cases in the previous year.
Dengue fever is not acquired or transmitted in the NT but there is plenty of disease contracted overseas - and it is not pleasant.
The majority of cases were travellers returning from South East Asia and more than half had been to Bali, a tourist hotspot for Territorians.
Dengue fever is a viral illness spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Typical symptoms are fever lasting three to seven days, severe frontal headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash and/or minor bleeding. A rare but serious complication is dengue haemorrhagic fever, which has a high fatality rate.
Dr Vicki Krause Director of the Centre for Disease Control advises travellers that “unlike most mosquitoes, the dengue fever-causing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not wait until dusk to come out but can lurk under the tables of cafes and restaurants, especially in the outdoor settings where many people dine in South East Asia.”
“There is no vaccine against dengue and no specific medical treatment for this debilitating condition. Protecting yourself against mosquito bites is the only way to prevent dengue fever.”
If travelling abroad in 2017 take these simple steps for protection against disease-carrying mosquitoes:
• use protective clothing in outdoor situations covering feet, legs and arms. Loose, light coloured clothing is best
• use personal repellents containing DEET or picaridin on areas of exposed skin in combination with protective clothing
• avoid areas of likely mosquito activity
• check flyscreens in accommodation is in good condition
• use electric insecticide devices such as repellent treated pads (indoor) and mosquito coils or candle heated / gas operated devices (sheltered outdoors)
More information can be found at: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/viral/dengue-fever
Media Contact: Dimitra Grehl 0427 596 954