Tropical Terrors

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is a widespread viral disease carried by the Aedes egyptii mosquito.

This insect "vector" - and efforts to control it - is very important in the spread of this disease. Unlike the Anopheles that spreads malaria, this mosquito reproduces in tiny amounts of water - such as found in an old tin can or tire or roadside ditch, is happy living in urban areas, and bites during the daytime hours. So when Dengue strikes, it tends to strike in epidemic waves.

Areas at risk for Dengue Fever (essentially the entire non-desert tropical region of the earth!):

 

"Breakbone Fever"

Obviously you never want to get a disease called "breakbone fever", which is another name for Dengue Fever. Whenever I travel to tropical countries, I always inquire - even if just from hotel staff - about the current status of Dengue. When there is a local epidemic everyone knows about it - communities are organized to eliminate any trash that can contain water, to clear ditches, to check flowerpots, etc. And taking precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes during the daytime becomes even more important.

A roadside sign encouraging vigilance against stagnant water to prevent Dengue outbreaks:

 

 

 

 

 

I had a patient who went to visit relatives in Puerto Rico. When he returned he informed me that he had spent a week of his two-week trip in the hospital, even winding up in the intensive care unit, with Dengue Fever. "I came down with it on the fifth day of my trip" he said. I told him that was amazing because the incubation period for Dengue Fever is five days. He recalled that as he got off of the airplane upon arrival he was swarmed by mosquitoes - he had contracted Dengue Fever immediately upon arrival!

Dengue is a problem because it makes you very sick - and there is no vaccine to prevent it. Most people do not die - the first time they get it. But it is a serious problem  - with subsequent illnesses by various of the four strains, there is an increasing likelihood of getting Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.  DHF is a much more severe form, marked by hemorrhaging (bleeding).

See the CDC for updates on Dengue Fever.