Dengue

Dengue is a viral infection caused by four closely related virus strains (Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, and Den-4). It is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus cannot be passed directly from person to person. Instead, it circulates in an infected person's bloodstream for 2 to 7 days, during which time a mosquito can pick up the virus by biting them and subsequently pass it on to others.
Crucially, Dengue is no longer just a health concern for those travelling to tropical and subtropical regions. In 2024, Italy experienced the largest outbreak ever recorded in mainland Europe, with nearly 300 locally acquired cases.

What are the symptoms?

Most people who contract the virus do not develop any symptoms at all. However, if symptoms do occur, they usually appear 5 to 6 days after being bitten, such as a sudden high temperature, severe muscle and joint pain (which is why Dengue is famously known as breakbone fever), a severe headache, often accompanied by pain behind or around the eyes, nausea and vomiting, widespread skin rash.
If you develop any symptoms that could be linked to Dengue fever, please contact your family GP or doctor immediately.

How to prevent it?

  • Cover up: wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, such as long-sleeved tops, shirts, and trousers.
  • Apply insect repellent: use mosquito repellent (spray, lotion, or roll-on) containing active ingredients like Picaridin/Icaridin (KBR 3023) or DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
    • Sunscreen first: if you are at the beach or out in the sun, always apply your sunscreen first and let it dry before applying repellent.
    • Top up regularly: reapply your repellent several times throughout the day, especially in hot weather or if you are sweating.
    • Protect broken skin: never apply repellent over cuts, scrapes, wounds, or irritated skin.
    • Keep children safe: avoid applying repellent directly to the palms of young children's hands to stop them accidentally rubbing it into their eyes or mouth.
    • Check the label: always read the product label carefully before use, particularly before applying it to children, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Avoid heavily scented products, such as perfumes, deodorants, body creams, and aftershaves, as strong scents attract mosquitoes.
  • Install fine mesh fly screens on your windows and doors, even if you use air conditioning.
  • Always keep windows open for ventilation if you use domestic insect repellents or killers (such as aerosol sprays, plug-in vaporisers, electric coils, or mats).
  • Empty and wipe down any objects that can trap water at least once a day, such as flowerpots, saucers, watering cans, planters, buckets, outdoor toys, paddling pools, tubs, bins, and old tyres, etc..
  • Empty and refill outdoor pet bowls and animal water troughs at least once a week.
  • Flip over any empty buckets or pots left outside so they cannot collect rainwater.
  • Keep your lawn tidy, clear away grass cuttings, and trim hedges and bushes.
  • Keep ornamental garden ponds and fountains clean. You can introduce goldfish, as they naturally feed on mosquito larvae.

  • Check your roof gutters and drains to ensure that rainwater can flow freely without pooling.

  • Cover water butts, tanks, and irrigation cisterns with tightly fitting lids, heavy-duty tarpaulins, or fine mesh screening.

  • Use larvicides (available from pharmacies or specialist garden centres) on a regular basis, at least every 3 to 4 weeks, in areas where standing water cannot be avoided (such as garden drains, gulleys, and private or communal drainage wells). Alternate between at least two different products to prevent the larvae from building up a resistance.

  • Avoid chemical space-sprays or foggers to apply adulticides on plants or in the air to kill adult mosquitoes. These temporary measures are weak, short-lived, and ineffective for everyday pest control. Overuse and uncontrolled spraying have caused many mosquito species to become completely resistant to these treatments.
     

Downloadable campaign posters are available for printing and displaying in local GP surgeries, veterinary clinics, pharmacies, and other public community spaces.

When to get the Dengue vaccine

In February 2023, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) approved a vaccine designed to protect against Dengue fever caused by any of the four strains of the virus (Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, and Den-4). 
If you are planning a trip abroad, contact the Travel Medicine Department at your local health authority (ASL) to assess whether the vaccine is appropriate for you, based on your specific travel destination.

Dengue

Check out the communication campaign and take a look at the informational material on Dengue fever.