Have a bug-free beach life

Apart from causing an itch and inflammation, mosquitoes can leave more than just an irritation.

In the Caribbean, they have the ability to transmit diseases such as Dengue Fever, Zika Virus and Chikungunya.
Mosquito bite avoidance is recommended, here are our recommendations on how:

• Cover up with clothing
• Use insect repellents containing a minimum of 50% DEET on any exposed skin
• Consider treating clothes with permethrin
• Sleep under bed nets and use insect screens on doors.
• Reduce  mosquito breeding sites by removing any water containers from outdoor areas
• Use air-conditioning
• Consider the use of plug-in  electrical vaporisers which deter mosquitoes
• Use our Ultimate Bug Kit.

Dengue Fever & Chikungunya

There is currently no vaccine available to prevent either dengue nor chikungunya in travellers. However, without mosquitoes, individual sufferers are not directly contagious.

The risk for both diseases is thought to be higher during periods of intense mosquito feeding activity (two to three hours after dawn and during the early evening).

Zika

There is currently no vaccine available to prevent the ZIKV infection in travellers. Those infected with the infection normally have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are usually mild and short-lived. Serious complications and deaths are not common.
The concerns with the Zika virus and primarily to do with birth defects and as a result pregnant women should postpone non-essential travel until after pregnancy. More information on Zika Virus and pregnancy concerns from Public Health England.

So say ‘zip off’ to zika and ‘do one’ dengue and enjoy a bug-free beach life!

If you would like more travel advice we’d recommend an appointment with one of our travel nurses. You can book your travel appointment online.

By Anna Chapman |  Travel Nurse | November 2018

The popular Thai tourist resorts of Krabi and Phuket are reporting high incidences of dengue fever this year.

Since January 2015 over 400 cases of dengue fever have been reported, resulting in one fatality.

Cases of dengue fever also soared in Malaysia with over 40,000 reported cases this year.  It is estimated between 6-10 cases of dengue are diagnosed each day – double the rate of last year.  The most dramatic increases have been seen in Penang,  Johor and the state of Selangor.

Dengue Fever Advice for Travellers

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or medication that can prevent dengue.  The only way to reduce the risk is to prevent mosquito bites, particularly during daylight hours.

If you are off on an Asian adventure this summer, follow these simple steps to reduce the risk of dengue fever:

• Cover up with clothing
• Use insect repellents containing a minimum of 50% DEET on any exposed skin
• Consider treating clothes with permethrin
• Sleep under bed nets and use insect screens on doors.
• Reduce  mosquito breeding sites by removing any water containers from outdoor areas
• Use air-conditioning
• Consider the use of plug-in  electrical vaporisers which deter mosquitoes

Our Ultimate Bug Kit contains everything you need to help keep mosquitos at bay and is available to purchase online.

Fleet Street Clinic

For more information on Dengue or any other travel-related topic, you can book travel consultation appointment online.