Dengue fever in Italy and France

A report in the journal Eurosurveillance states that five locally acquired cases of dengue virus type 1 were detected in a family cluster in Vicenza Province, north-east Italy. The primary case was an importation from West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the first outbreak of autochthonous dengue reported in Italy.

Additionally, according to media reports quoting public health authorities, a possible outbreak of dengue fever was reported in Nice, south-east France. The health agency l’Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS), for the Nice and Alpes-Maritimes region, informed of a possible outbreak after one case of dengue fever was confirmed on 4 September, and another on 7 September 2020.

Dengue is a commonly identified cause of febrile illness in returning travellers and the number of cases continues to increase. All travellers to endemic regions are potentially at risk of dengue fever and should be aware of this infection. Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites at all times.

Information and advice for travellers on dengue is available from the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Sources: TRAVAX, 15 September 2020 and TRAVAX, 15 September 2020