A British woman has contracted dengue while on holiday in France, as experts warn the tropical disease is becoming more common in parts of Europe due to climate change.
The 44-year-old became infected while on vacation in Nice in September 2022. She has not visited any other country.
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus, usually in tropical regions of Asia, South America, and Asia.
It is usually not a serious disease and often goes away on its own. Some people may develop severe dengue or dengue hemorrhagic fever, but this is relatively rare, affecting between 1 and 5 percent of patients.
On her return to the UK, the patient required emergency medical treatment. The UK Rare Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) was able to diagnose her after doctors sent her an urgent sample for analysis.
His symptoms included fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash, all of which began the day after he returned from France. These lasted for three days, but she required no further medical treatment.
Her family members who stayed with her also showed similar symptoms, with researchers confirming that the infected patient was “part of an outbreak of more than 30 locally transmitted cases” in the south of France in 2022.
Between June and September 2022, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) reported three separate outbreaks of dengue virus transmission. These cases were identified in France in patients who had not traveled abroad.
However, an expert at the world-famous Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London has warned that climate change may be responsible for the increase in outbreaks in parts of Europe.
d said. Owen Donnelly.
“With climate change, particularly higher temperatures and increased precipitation, and increased global trade and tourism, we may see more parts of Europe with the right mix of factors for dengue outbreaks.
“Monitoring and reporting mechanisms are important to ensure that we have an accurate understanding of the spread of dengue.”
Dengue is most often found in tropical regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, and some areas of southern North America.
However, the risk of contracting it increases in parts of southern Europe between spring and November, and it has already been detected in Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira.
Asian tiger mosquitoes are also becoming more common across the region due to the impact of climate change, particularly higher temperatures and higher levels of precipitation.
Importantly, dengue cannot be passed from person to person and the infection is not found in the UK.
A British woman has contracted dengue while on holiday in France, as experts warn the tropical disease is becoming more common in parts of Europe due to climate change.
The 44-year-old became infected while on vacation in Nice in September 2022. She has not visited any other country.
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus, usually in tropical regions of Asia, South America, and Asia.
It is usually not a serious disease and often goes away on its own. Some people may develop severe dengue or dengue hemorrhagic fever, but this is relatively rare, affecting between 1 and 5 percent of patients.
On her return to the UK, the patient required emergency medical treatment. The UK Rare Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) was able to diagnose her after doctors sent her an urgent sample for analysis.
His symptoms included fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash, all of which began the day after he returned from France. These lasted for three days, but she required no further medical treatment.
Her family members who stayed with her also showed similar symptoms, with researchers confirming that the infected patient was “part of an outbreak of more than 30 locally transmitted cases” in the south of France in 2022.
Between June and September 2022, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) reported three separate outbreaks of dengue virus transmission. These cases were identified in France in patients who had not traveled abroad.
However, an expert at the world-famous Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London has warned that climate change may be responsible for the increase in outbreaks in parts of Europe.
d said. Owen Donnelly.
“With climate change, particularly higher temperatures and increased precipitation, and increased global trade and tourism, we may see more parts of Europe with the right mix of factors for dengue outbreaks.
“Monitoring and reporting mechanisms are important to ensure that we have an accurate understanding of the spread of dengue.”
Dengue is most often found in tropical regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, and some areas of southern North America.
However, the risk of contracting it increases in parts of southern Europe between spring and November, and it has already been detected in Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira.
Asian tiger mosquitoes are also becoming more common across the region due to the impact of climate change, particularly higher temperatures and higher levels of precipitation.
Importantly, dengue cannot be passed from person to person and the infection is not found in the UK.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.