In 2024, more than 7,700 people will have died from dengue fever in America and the Caribbean, the highest number in more than forty years. This alarming figure underlines the need to take all necessary measures to ensure safer travel in 2025.
Most people in the northern countries, including the upper United States, may be unfamiliar with this tropical disease. Let’s take a closer look at what it is.
Dengue fever – in some cases dengue hemorrhagic fever – is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes thrive in warm, moist climates, which explains why the disease is uncommon in northern regions.
If you contract the virus, it means that you will experience flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and a certain red skin rash.
In severe cases, the virus causes life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage, a condition known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. This happens due to damage to blood vessels and a significant decrease in the number of platelets, which impairs clotting and can lead to fatal consequences.
There are four types of dengue viruses, and – unlike most diseases – contracting one type does not provide immunity against the others. Doctors indeed report that subsequent infections may be more aggressive due to a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
Please note that if you contract the virus, there is no specific medicine to treat you, apart from using a few select painkillers. Keep in mind that not all painkillers are safe to use if you have this virus. So talk to a healthcare provider even if your symptoms are mild.
There is a vaccine against this disease, but it mainly works in children and people who have already contracted the virus in the past. If you are eligible, you should get your second injection three months after the first, followed by a third dose three months later. As you can see, proper vaccination requires careful planning.
Countries affected by Dengue fever
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most dangerous country to travel to currently due to dengue fever is Brazil, with more than 10 million confirmed cases. Argentina comes in second, reporting more than 580,000 cases, while Mexico rounds out the top three with more than 500,000 cases.
In the Caribbean (although geographically located on the South American mainland), Guyana tops the list with more than 41,000 cases, followed by its neighbor French Guiana.
Popular Caribbean Islands, Including the Dominican Republic and Martinique, are also experiencing significant outbreaks.
Other hard-hit countries include Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Nicaragua, Belize, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
In recent years, rising temperatures around the world have allowed these mosquitoes to thrive in previously unaffected locations such as California, Florida and Texas, where cases continue to rise. Not to mention that At the end of March, Puerto Rico declared an epidemic.
How can I protect myself from dengue fever on my next trip?
Understanding how dengue spreads is the first step in making informed decisions about personal protection.
Contrary to popular belief, Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in clean water, not dirty water.
This is becoming a major problem in several tropical countries where people have to collect water for daily use in outdoor tanks that often lack proper coverage, providing an ideal breeding ground for these mosquitoes.
If you choose an Airbnb or similar accommodation, take precautions by removing standing water from around the property. Take into account possible breeding places such as plant saucers, bottle caps or clogged gutters. Keep in mind that urban areas are particularly vulnerable to mosquito breeding.
Follow these recommendations to stay safe during your trip to America:
- Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long, loose pants, socks and shoes, especially during dawn and dusk, when this particular type of mosquito is more active.
- If you are staying in nature, use mosquito nets to protect your bed, especially if you do not have air conditioning.
- Spray indoor and outdoor areas with insecticides to eliminate mosquitoes around your bedroom.
