Latest news with #mosquitoborne
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Quebec man catches dengue fever during trip to Martinique
A Quebec man is warning fellow travellers to protect themselves before heading off on any international adventures after he caught dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, while on a trip to Martinique in the Caribbean. 'Two days before I came back, I started to get really ill,' Jacob Tremblay tells Noovo Info. 'I had a fever of 40 [degrees Celsius], and when I got on the plane, I was in bad shape.' Upon returning home to Saguenay, Tremblay says he had muscle pain, difficulty walking and a swollen stomach. He was eventually admitted to a hospital in Jonquière in the province's Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. 'I was in so much pain that I told the doctor that if what they were doing didn't work, I was going to ask for medical aid in dying,' said Tremblay. 'It hurt so much. It was horrible.' Cases of dengue fever are considered rare, presenting with symptoms including fever, headache, rash and muscle and joint pain. In serious cases, it can cause death. In Canada, there is currently no approved vaccine or medication that protects against it. 'Classic dengue fever causes headaches and fever, so it's not very serious. The mortality rate is around one per cent,' explains Nancy Lavoie, a nurse who specializes in travel health. However, she adds, dengue hemorrhagic fever, also known as severe dengue, can affect the body's vascular system and lead to significant internal bleeding and organ failure. The Public Health Agency of Canada notes that though the dengue virus is not present in mosquitoes in Canada, outbreaks are increasingly common in tropical and subtropical regions. It recommends protecting yourself from mosquito bites when in areas where dengue fever is present. Additionally, all travellers should make sure to be properly protected before taking flight. To find out if your travel destination requires certain vaccines or medications, click here.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Aussies warned to take precaution after dengue fever outbreak in Cook Islands
Cook Islands – a popular travel spot for Australians – is warning travellers to take precautions after seven cases of dengue fever prompted a health emergency. The Cook Islands Health Ministry confirmed two cases of illness last week, taking to seven cases reported within a 18-day span. The cases are currently confined to the isle of Rarotonga, and measures are being taken to prevent its spread to the outer islands of Pa Enua. Health authorities have launched Operation Namu25 as a comprehensive initiative to clear mosquito breeding grounds and prevent the transmission of the fever. Certain species of mosquito – the Aedes aegypti – primarily transport the dengue infection. The symptoms of the mosquito-borne viral infection include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, and skin rashes. In more fatal cases, it can lead to serious health complications that require hospitalisation. Most cases of dengue fever enter Australia through travellers, who are advised to use insect repellent while in the Pacific Islands and seek medical attention if they notice any symptoms
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fiji added to CDC's travel alert after surge in dengue fever cases
SUVA, Fiji – The island nation of Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean is the latest country to be added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel alert list due to a rise in dengue fever cases. As of March, the country's Ministry of Health and Medical Services reported over 5,100 cases of the mosquito-borne illness, prompting the Level 1 travel advisory. Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a growing health concern in warm-weather countries. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is potentially life-threatening, though its side effects are treatable with medications. The symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Health experts advise that these symptoms typically last for about a week but can lead to severe complications for those with weakened immune systems. Cdc Warns Of Surge In Travel-related Dengue Fever Cases In Us The Fiji government did not state what is behind the recent surge, but heavy rainfall and a lack of immunity against the disease are likely playing a significant role, as they are in dozens of other countries. "Wherever you have a significant number of mosquitoes and warm, hot environments is where you see dengue transmission," Dr. Stacey Rizza, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, previously told the Mayo Clinic News Network. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.4 million dengue cases and over 400 deaths have been reported from 53 countries around the globe, with tropical and subtropical regions at the epicenter. Less than 2,000 cases are from the U.S., with regions such as Puerto Rico and Florida being hot spots. The organization has previously noted that dengue typically follows a transmission cycle of three to four years, but with climate change disrupting historical patterns, public health experts now question whether cycles will last longer and be more intense. Globs Of Seaweed Wash Ashore In Miami Beach Ahead Of Sargassum Season Fiji now joins a list of other countries under the CDC's travel advisory, including Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Saint Lucia, Sudan and Tonga. Travelers are not advised to cancel international travel but are urged to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. These include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and staying in accommodations where windows and doors are properly screened. Fiji's ministry of health says it is conducting round-the-clock surveillance and mosquito spraying to address the ongoing article source: Fiji added to CDC's travel alert after surge in dengue fever cases
