HPA reminds travellers to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi of the risk of dengue fever

30 September 2010

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed 9 cases of dengue fever diagnosed in the UK associated with travel to Delhi in the past two weeks. The agency wants to remind travellers going to India for the Commonwealth Games of the advice on how to avoid insect bites.

Dengue fever is endemic in India, and cases are currently occurring in Delhi. As of 31 August 2010, the Government of India has reported a total of 937 cases and three deaths since January 2010.

Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquito bites - it cannot be passed directly from person to person. The disease usually occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In these areas, mosquitoes that can transmit dengue fever breed where rainwater collects in or near people's homes -for example household water storage containers, other waste containers and spare tyres. It does not occur in the UK because the type of mosquitoes that pass on the disease do not exist here.

Dengue fever generally causes a severe flu-like illness, though symptoms can vary with age. Infants and young children may have a fever and a rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and a rash.

Dr Jane Jones, an expert in travel health at the HPA, said: "There is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against dengue fever and prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites. While malaria transmitting mosquitos bite during the night, the type that transmit dengue bite during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk. All travellers to India are advised to follow guidance on insect bite avoidance both day and night to prevent dengue fever and other mosquito borne illnesses."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) promotes standards in travel medicine, providing travel health information for health professionals and the public.  NaTHNaC is funded by the Health Protection Agency and the two agencies have been working together since the beginning of July to provide advice for health professionals and travellers in relation to the Commonwealth Games. For more information and for an information sheet on insect bite avoidance visit: http://www.nathnac.org/

To avoid insect bites it is important to follow the advice below:

Use of repellents - The Health Protection Agency's Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP) strongly recommends DEET-based insect repellents as these are the most effective in preventing malaria and other mosquito borne infections like dengue and chikungunya. During the day when both sunscreen and repellent are used, the repellent should be applied over the sunscreen. Repellent should be reapplied at regular intervals.

Insecticide - These should be used to kill any resting mosquitoes in a room.

Use of nets - If sleeping outdoors or in unscreened accommodation, mosquito nets should be used. Mosquito nets must be free of tears and should be tucked in under the mattress. Those that are impregnated with insecticide can provide extra protection.

Clothing - Where possible, cover up with long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, long trousers and socks if out of doors around dawn and dusk and after sunset, to minimise accessibility to skin for biting mosquitoes. Cotton clothing can be sprayed with DEET. 

Room protection - Air conditioning reduces the likelihood of mosquito bite as a result of a substantial reduction in night time temperature. Ceiling fans can also reduce mosquito nuisance. Doors, windows and other possible mosquito entry routes to sleeping accommodation should be screened with fine mesh netting which must be close-fitting and free from tears.

Dengue Fever is most common in Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, eastern Mediterranean, and western Pacific.

More advice about the Commonwealth Games can be found on the HPA website. 

More information about dengue fever

For more information or for media enquiries only please telephone the HPA press office on:

Louise Brown  020 8327 7080
Eleanor Bunch 020 8327 7751
Kathryn Swan  020 8327 7097
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
Emma Gilgunn Jones 020 8327 6647

Last reviewed: 30 September 2010