Dengue fever case numbers have been declining since the end of October after peaking earlier the same month. By Nov 11, there had been more than 235,000 suspected dengue cases across the country and 197 associated deaths, with Punjab province recording most of the confirmed cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan. The highest death count was in the district of Lahore which logged half of all fatal cases registered in the country. Read more. The ECDC update of Nov 21-27 contains a run-down of dengue and chikungunya across the globe, and there are more dengue reports from ProMED.
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.