Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness. It is commonly found in more than 100 countries worldwide and can occur in both rural and urban areas. About half of the world’s population is thought to live in areas with a risk of dengue fever.

Symptoms

Fever, intense headache, eye pain, joint pains and a rash – although about 75% of infections are free of symptoms

How do you catch dengue fever?
Dengue fever is transmitted by a mosquito that mainly bites during the daytime.

Incubation period
usually 4 – 7 days

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and confirmed by blood tests.

Prevention
Dengue fever is prevented by avoiding mosquito bites, through use of an effective insect repellent and wearing long, loose-fitting clothing. A course of Dengue Fever vaccinations can be considered by travellers who have experienced a confirmed Dengue Fever infection in the past.

Treatment
There is no cure, so treatment consists of nursing care, pain killers and management of any complications.

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Vaccination options

Live vaccine, not suitable for everyone (please discuss with a travel nurse).

Level of protection: approximated 82%

Protection duration: The need for a booster has not yet been established.

How is it given: 2 injections usually given at least 3 months apart.

Ideally start: 3 months before travel.

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Did you know?

  • Most infections occur in SE Aisa, South and Central America, Mexico, Africa, India, Hawaii and the Pacific.
  • Severe cases can be fatal - but this is very rare in travellers
  • There are 4 types of dengue fever; having had one of these can increase the risk of developing severe dengue if infected with another type.
  • The Dengue Fever vaccination is not suitable for everyone, depending on age and medical history. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a a vaccine can be offered.

Clinical Oversight By:

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross is the Medical Director at MASTA and has been associated with the company since 2005. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1983 and graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1986. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John. He was the senior advisor on public health from 2012–2023 to the UK Surgeon General. He retired from the Army in October 2024, after 41 years active service.

Professor David Ross was Director of Education, Honorary Secretary, and Vice Dean before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow) in October 2024. Recent travel medicine research interests have included malaria prevention and tuberculosis screening. He was Chief Examiner of the Diploma of Medicine in Conflict & Catastrophes at the Society of Apothecaries until 2024, is Chair of the Final UK MFPH and an Examiner at the UK Faculty of Public Health.

The last few years of his military working life were dominated by supporting the international and national public health response to COVID-19, where he managed many large COVID outbreaks both overseas and in the UK. David also led research into risk factors for mental ill health in the UK Army and for this was awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow in 2024.