An alert has been issued to tourists visiting the island of Ibiza after an outbreak of dengue fever.
Six tourists have been reported to have been struck down by the painful bug, reports Birmingham Live. The local Government confirmed that six German tourists were infected with dengue fever between May and November 2022.
And now, there are increased fears that there could be a second wave of the infection on the horizon during the busiest time of the year - the summer holidays.
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The Spanish Government has said that there is a "moderate" risk of people contracting the bug throughout the summer.
Dengue fever is an infection spread by mosquitoes and can be deadly to vulnerable adults. The NHS states that symptoms tend to begin between four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- severe headaches
- blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots
- swollen glands
People can also get a more severe type of the condition a few days after they initially fell ill - which can include repeatedly being sick and bleeding gums or nose.
Three German tourists were confirmed to have the disease in Ibiza last August - a 27-year-old woman, her partner and their 14-month-old daughter.
All three had symptoms on August 31, but tests were only performed on the woman who was then diagnosed with dengue.
Spanish health officials claim that the bug may have been spread by a Mexican holidaymaker, who only displayed symptoms after arriving on the island.
Spain's Ministry of Health said in a statement: "One of the potential vectors of dengue is the Aedes albopictus mosquito, present throughout the area, the Spanish Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands and also in some areas of the interior and north of the country.
"After learning about the cases, the authorities of the Balearic Islands have planned actions such as pertinent surveillance and vector control and also communication and information to the public, to be carried out before and during the start of the vector activity season."
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