Six municipalities recorded just over half of all dengue fever cases notified over a seven day period in late May - Santiago, Santo Domingo Norte, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo Este and Los Alcarrizos. To date, the majority of dengue-related deaths have been in men, while most cases have been in the five to 19 years cohort. Authorities recently warned of a looming dengue epidemic after cases increased 3-fold compared to 2021 data. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue fever is common in most tropical or sub-tropical regions of the world. The virus is spread by daytime-feeding Aedes mosquitoes and to avoid it and other insect-borne diseases, travellers should apply an insect repellent containing an effective active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD), to exposed skin when outdoors during the day. In addition, cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks around dawn and dusk, as well as other times when the mosquitoes are active.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.