Dengue Fever is spread by a particular type of mosquito that, unlike the Malaria mosquito, lives indoors, in shaded areas and is active during the day, making them hard to avoid.

Lots of people get infected but don’t have symptoms worse than a mild flu-like feeling. Get a good dose and you’ll know it. Dengue goes by the nickname 'break bone fever' because of excruciating muscle and joint pain.

The onset might also include diarrhoea, nausea or abdominal pain. If you start to have any of these symptoms, get to a hospital where you can rest while under the care of health professionals. There’s no cure, but with proper treatment of the symptoms most people will make a full recovery. However, there are four strains, and getting one makes it more likely you’ll get the potentially deadly Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever from the other strains.

There’s no vaccine either. The best protection is to make sure you aren’t bitten in the first place.
That means making sure your accommodation is mosquito-proof, or that you use bed nets, and insect repellent.

It’s also important to cover up with loose fitting clothing on the arms and legs (white is best, those dark leggings attract mosquitoes).

Add plenty of 30% DEET insect repellent to exposed skin, and make sure the kids are protected too.

As the number of cases rises, the number of people taking it back home as an unwanted holiday souvenir is rising because symptoms may not show up until after you’ve returned home. If you feel ill, don't forget to tell your doctor where you've been.

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