Brits planning to go abroad have been warned about the risk of catching a deadly tropical disease.
New research shows in the last decade almost half of UK-based travellers have visited at least one hotspot for dengue fever.
However, the data showed just 10% of holidaymakers research local diseases as a priority when making holiday plans.
Most are more concerned about losing luggage, flight delays or transport arrangements than food poisoning, mosquitos or tropical diseases.
Dengue is spread by Asian tiger mosquitoes and can lead to muscle and joint pain, as well as severe headaches.
And while it isn't normally serious, some can be struck down by more severe forms of the infection.
It was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2019 as one of the top 10 threats to global health.
It is endemic in the likes of the Caribbean, Singapore, Thailand and the Pacific Islands, which 46% of Brit travellers have visited during the last 10 years, according to the Takeda UK research.
The bug has also cropped up in holiday favourites like Ibiza in Spain and Nice in the south of France.
However, almost half of those surveyed had never even heard of dengue and only one in 10 knew how to protect themselves if they contracted it.
Europe's climate doesn't generally favour the type of mosquito that carries the disease but hotter temperatures thanks to climate change mean this could change.
President of the British Global and Travel Health Association, Dr. George Kassianos, has urged UK and Irish holidaymakers to seek travel health advice as soon as their holiday is booked.
Dr. Kassianos told the Sun: “Although the UK and Ireland are not endemic countries, more than 800 UK holidaymakers had their trips disrupted by dengue in 2019, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, with all reported cases imported from popular holiday destinations.
“One of the greatest drivers of the disease is climate change and particularly global warming," he went on to explain.
"The rise in temperatures is making it possible for mosquitoes to live and breed in wider territories – including areas within southern Europe, exposing travellers from the UK and Ireland to dengue in popular holiday destinations."
He said it is important to understand the risk of dengue in any area being travelled to, particularly in tropical and subtropical locations.
Dr Kassianos said precautions to take include using appropriate insect repellent and covering exposed skin with loose-fitting clothing.
While dengue isn't usually life-threatening, and most cases are asymptomatic, it can leave patients bedridden for up to a week.
Takeda UK and Takeda Products Ireland has launched ‘Explore Uninterrupted’, a campaign to raise awareness of dengue.
Dengue symptoms usually start four to 10 days after being bitten.
Some symptoms are similar to the flu and they 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
Some people get a more severe type of dengue a few days after they first started feeling ill, but this is rare, according to the NHS.
They 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
