Health

Dengue Fever aka Breakbone Fever Increasing Worldwide

by Barbara McPherson | March 19, 2010 at 09:29 am

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Before taking off to that warm weather holiday, take precautions against mosquito bites. A serious disease - Dengue Fever also known as Breakbone Fever - is spread by the Aedes mosquito.

It's called breakbone fever because victims feel as if their bones are breaking. The CDC has issued advice for travelers regarding what may develop into a fatal hemorragic disease.

Dengue is spread by mosquito bites. There is no cure and no vaccination for breakbone fever. Dengue fever historically originated in South America and the Caribbean Islands, where most reported cases still come from, but it has now spread to be a worldwide concern in tropical and semi-tropical areas.

Currently Reported Cases of Dengue Fever

Africa - Cape Verde, Senegal
South Pacific - Malaysia , Indonesia
Central and South America - Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
Caribbean - Puerto Rico, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin
Middle East - Saudi Arabia

To view areas where cases have been reported in previous years, see the Distribution of Dengue maps. For more information on dengue and updates on worldwide activity, see CDC Dengue site and WHO's Dengue page.

How to Avoid Contracting Dengue Fever

Usually dengue fever causes a mild illness, but it can be severe and lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be fatal if not treated. People who have had dengue fever before are more at risk of getting DHF.

The best way to prevent Dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites. Surprisingly, the most cases of Dengue fever are reported in urban areas. Consult one of the many available checklists to learn more about prevention of this serious disease.

Some speculate Dengue fever may be an emerging disease that will continue to spread as climate change makes it more hospitable to warm weather insects like the Aedes mosquito.

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Amy Judd

at 09:37 on March 19th, 2010

Good advice here, especially as the summer is approaching

Tan (not verified)

at 09:20 on March 26th, 2010

I have summarised dengue fever into more details, hopefully below details will more awareness to people to understand about this disease: Dengue Fever- Caused by one of the four Dengue viruses and transmitted from infected person to another.- Transmits by Aedes mosquito.- Symptoms of Dengue are sudden high fever, severe headache, eyes pain, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and no appetite. Symptoms usually appear from 3- 14 days after infection bite. Dengue infection may progress up to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever where the blood vessel starts to leak and causing bleeding from nose, mouth and gums. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessel can collapse, shock and death.- Two fifth of the population are at risk and this disease is a leading cause of serious illness and death to children in some Asia countries.- There are 50 million cases with 12,500 deaths reported every year by World Health Organization (WHO) - Dengue Fever is common in most tropical and sub tropical countries such as Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and Africa. bestmosquitorepellent.blogspot.com/2009/07/mosquito-life-cycle-and-mosquito.html#tips1