Authorities in Ibiza have warned people to look out for symptoms of dengue fever after several outbreaks were reported on the Spanish island.
An alert was issued by health officials after six German tourists were reported to have been infected between May and November last year.
One case, a 27-year-old woman who was on holiday there for a week in August 2022 with her family, saw them begin to show symptoms including a fever, a rash and joint pain after arriving home.
Another family, who stayed in the same town in October, showed symptoms while still on holiday but authorities said the risk of contracting the disease, which is spread by mosquitos, was low.
But from May to November, the Health and Emergencies Coordination Centre, under the Spanish Ministry of Health, has classified the forthcoming risk as “moderate”.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
The NHS says the disease is not usually serious though some people may contract a more severe strain.
Symptoms usually start four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and can be similar to flu with a high temperature, severe headache, feeling or being sick, a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots, muscular and joint pain, a pain behind the eyes, and swollen glands.
Symptoms in more severe cases can include being repeatedly sick and bleeding gums or nose
It is is not found in the UK and cannot be caught from another person.
