Over the past year dengue, or “break-bone fever”, has spread across much of the tropics. South and South-East Asia, particularly India, have been hard hit, and there have been major outbreaks across Central America and the Caribbean.
It is thought that climate change together with ever increasing urbanisation is aiding the boom of the Aedes Albopictus, or the ‘Asian tiger mosquito’ – the insect responsible for spreading the disease.
Major dengue epidemics typically occur cyclically – every three to five years. But the WHO reported a significant rise in global dengue incidence in 2023, with more than five million cases and 5,000 deaths reported worldwide.
Although the death rate for dengue is generally low, some 500,000 people are hospitalised annually, with many more experiencing symptoms including fatigue and brain fog that can last for weeks.
Similarly, the WHO’s annual World Malaria Report for 2023 warned that efforts to eliminate malaria are at a “crunch point”, with climate change extending the length of malaria seasons and affecting the accurate timing of seasonal interventions.
‘Plan ahead’
Climate is also related to the spread of Anopheles stephensi, the malaria-carrying ‘super mosquito’ famous for surviving in high temperatures in dry seasons, when malaria transmission typically dips.
The number of confirmed malaria cases in the UK, from the period January to October 2023, totalled 1,637.
Eight Zika cases were reported in England in 2023, a similar level to 2022 but far below the peak in 2016, when cases reached 725 during a large outbreak across the Americas.
While cases of Zika are low, the disease is particularly harmful for pregnant women as it has been linked to birth defects.
Dr Dipti Patel, Director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, urged people to “plan ahead” and speak to their GP six weeks ahead of travelling to help ensure they have all the necessary vaccinations, repellants and medications.
The latest foreign travel advice, including guidance on disease, safety and security warnings, for every country in the world can be checked on the government website.
