UK tourists are being warned about a potentially deadly disease after insects were discovered at two popular holiday spots in Spain. Tiger mosquitoes have been found on the islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Officials are now dumping pesticide from helicopters in a desperate bid to kill them. The mosquitoes are native to Asia and are said to be spreading across parts of Spain. They can carry diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever – as well as Zika, which can cause birth defects. They bugs feed throughout the day and can pass on infections to humans when they bite.
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The mosquitoes have stripes so can be easily identified. Bites are more painful than European mosquitoes and can cause severe swelling, scarring, and sometimes infection. The Mallorca Daily Bulletin said tiger mosquitoes are spreading across the Balearics, with Mallorca having already taken action in its capital Palma. A warning has been issued in a region of neighbouring Menorca over the mosquitoes. People are being urged to report sightings. There are fears the mosquitoes are spreading because of changing climate conditions, which are allowing them to live further north in Europe due to increased heat and humidity. Experts have warned the Olympics, in Paris, could see disease spread by the mosquitoes.
Common symptoms associated with dengue:
- Mild to Moderate Dengue
- High Fever: Sudden onset of high fever (104°F or 40°C)
- Severe Headache: Intense pain in the forehead
- Pain Behind the Eyes: Pain in the back of the eyes, also known as retro-orbital pain
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Severe muscle and joint pain, often referred to as ‘breakbone fever’
- Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling nauseous and vomiting
- Rash: A maculopapular or petechial rash that appears a few days after the fever starts
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Mild Bleeding: Such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising
Severe Dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome)
Severe dengue can lead to more serious symptoms and complications, including:
- Severe Abdominal Pain: Intense stomach pain
- Persistent Vomiting: Frequent and severe vomiting
- Bleeding: Severe bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin, which may appear as bruises
- Difficulty Breathing: Due to fluid accumulation in the chest
- Blood in Stools or Vomit: Presence of blood in vomit or stools
- Pale, Cold, or Clammy Skin: Indicating circulatory collapse
- Rapid Decline in Platelet Count: Leading to increased risk of bleeding
- Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS): Characterized by severe hypotension, leading to shock, organ failure, and potentially death
Critical Phase
The critical phase often occurs when the fever starts to subside – usually three to seven days after the initial onset of symptoms. It is during this phase that there is a risk of severe complications, such as plasma leakage, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, and severe bleeding.
