Spain tourists issued warning over summer holidays…

Spain tourists issued warning over summer holidays amid dengue fever cases

Brits planning holidays to Spain this summer have been alerted to the risks of an infection spread by mosquitoes.

Health bosses in the country have issued an alert on dengue fever, after cases were confirmed in tourists visiting Ibiza between May and November last year. During the same period this summer holiday season infections are expected to rise, with the Spanish Ministry of Health classifying the risk as "moderate".

Dengue fever is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, and according to the NHS the illness is not usually serious and often gets better on its own. In rare cases, infected people can develop a severe form of dengue which will cause more serious symptoms.

The warning comes after two cases of the disease were confirmed in German tourists who visited Ibiza last year, with health officials in Germany alerting Spain to the cases last month along with four other unconfirmed cases with compatible symptoms. Spanish authorities are expected to step up their vigilance around the infection in the lead-up to summer, The Mirror reports.

The NHS lists the most common symptoms of dengue fever as being similar to flu, although the infection does not always cause any symptoms. They typically start within four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and can usually be remedied with paracetamol.

Dengue fever is spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes and is common in hotter parts of the world (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Although it is not present in the UK, dengue fever is very common in tropical parts of the world as well as presenting a risk in parts of southern Europe in the warmer months. As reported by the CCAES, one of the potential dengue vectors is the mosquito 'Aedes Albopictus', present throughout the Spanish Mediterranean area and the Balearic Islands and in some areas of the interior and north of the country.

Health chiefs in the Balearic Islands, a popular holiday destination for UK tourists, said that they are taking all steps to minimise the risk of infection, including carrying out checks for the Aedes Albopictus mosquito and tracking the movements of infected tourists. Dengue fever cannot be spread from person to person.

A spokesperson said: "After the knowledge of the cases, the Balearic authorities have planned the pertinent actions of surveillance and vector control and communication and information to the citizenship, to be carried out before the start of the season of vector activity and during the same. The risk of new native cases in Ibiza, at this time of low vector activity is considered low, although this risk is considered moderate once the vector activity period begins (May-November)."

Symptoms of dengue fever include:

a high temperature
a severe headache
pain behind your eyes
muscle and joint pain
feeling or being sick
swollen glands
a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body

The rare more severe form of dengue can mean that the infected person initially starts to feel better, but gets more serious symptoms around 24 to 48 hours later. Symptoms of severe dengue can include:

severe tummy pain
repeatedly being sick
fast breathing
bleeding gums or nose
extreme tiredness (fatigue)
being unable to relax (restlessness)
blood in your vomit or poo

Tourists who have travelled to a country where dengue is found are urged to call 999 or go to A&E if they have sever symptoms of dengue, as it can be "very serious" if not treated quickly in hospital according to the NHS. Those at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill from dengue are advised to avoid travelling to countries where the infection is found, with at-risk groups including those who are aged over 65, pregnant, or have a weakened immune system.

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