The Philippines has confirmed an epidemic of Dengue fever.
146,000 cases have been confirmed so far this year, which is almost a 100% increase on the previous year. Deaths have begun to surge, with 622 people confirmed so far in 2019.
The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs already advises that travellers “exercise a high degree of caution” if visiting the Philippines.
A warning from the DFA notes that the country has a high risk of Zika virus. The department also says: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines, including in the capital Manila. There’s a high incidence of street crime and robbery throughout the Philippines.”
According to the HSE: “Most people with dengue recover within two weeks. However, in some cases dengue can develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). This is a potentially fatal complication of dengue where you bleed from your nose, gums and inside your body. It can also lead to dengue shock syndrome (DSS), a serious complication of dengue haemorrhagic fever that can lead to shock (a sudden loss in blood pressure). This is also potentially fatal.”
One of the key risk factors of Dengue fever is how long an individual stays in an endemic area (although even short-term visitors may be vulnerable to dengue).
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