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Eurosurveillance reported
five locally acquired cases of dengue virus type 1 were detected in a family cluster in Vicenza Province, North-East Italy. The primary case was an importation from West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the first outbreak of autochthonous dengue reported in Italy.
Dengue is a commonly identified cause of febrile illness in returning travellers and the number of cases in travellers continues to increase. All travellers to endemic regions are potentially at risk of dengue fever and should be aware of this infection. Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites at all times.
Travellers developing a fever during or on return from travel are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The Aedes mosquitoes that transmit dengue are particularly persistent and aggressive. Methods of bite avoidance include:
• The use of insect repellent containing DEET applied to any exposed skin at all times.
• Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin at all times.
• When sunscreen and DEET are used together, DEET should be applied after sunscreen. The effectiveness of repellent reduces more rapidly than sunscreen, therefore, repellent may have to be reapplied on top of sunscreen.
• The use of permethrin, impregnated mosquito nets protects against early morning bites and should also be used when sleeping during the day.
• The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.
• Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around accommodation/home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water).
No vaccine against dengue fever has been licensed for use in the UK.
For further information see Dengue Fever.
