02-03 Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever, often referred to as the “traveller’s disease”, can be found in over 100 nations. But, more importantly, it is all through popular tourist destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii.
This is a virus spread by a particular brand of mosquito. And once an infected person has Dengue, a bite from an uninfected mosquito passes the virus to the mosquito. It’s not one of those person to person things.
This alert was made in Jamaica and shows why North Americans who have never heard of this disease have to be cautious.
Just recently I enjoyed a cruise stop in Key West, Florida, and was informed that over 60 locals had been infected locally. Not travellers, but via infected local mosquitoes.
So this means the mosquito is moving north as the result of climate change. Places like Miami, are now facing a climate double whammy. Rising oceans and mosquito borne Dengue Fever.
Traditionally we would associate Malaria with Africa and Dengue Fever with Asia. But climate warming and global travel means these diseases can show up in the most unexpected places.
The attached describe the symptoms of Dengue Fever. A mild case seems like a flu virus. But a strong case can be deadly.
There is no cure for Dengue Fever. Drink, drink, drink. Sounds like my mother when I had the flu. They have a vaccine, but it is only for people who have had the Dengue fever before. Go figure.
I have plans to take a cruise that will land in a couple of islands with Dengue, Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda. Well, either stay ashore or spray yourself with a mosquito repellent.
Not the killer that malaria is but when something like 200-300 million people are hit with Dengue Fever each year, you have to take your travelling plans seriously.