A change in the dominant dengue serotype circulating in the departments of Loreto, San Martín and Madre de Dios and a sharp increase in cases in the same jungle regions has led to the proclamation of a health emergency. There are reports of 2,500 dengue infections and seven related deaths since the beginning of the year. Read more. And across the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization’s regional epidemiological dengue update for 2019 revealed that the previous highest case total recorded in the epidemic period of 2015-6 was upped by 30 percent last year, with more than 3 million cases reported. Also, year-on-year increases from 2018 were experienced in 34 countries and territories – from three to as much as ten times higher in some cases - while incidence rates were highest in Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras, Brazil and El Salvador. As 2020 begins, the update stated that Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico, and Paraguay had already ‘reported an increase of two to three times more dengue cases in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019’.
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.