Mosquito warning issued to people travelling to Asia

Dengue Fever, for sure, is not something you want to catch. Perhaps worse again is Yellow Fever, which leaves an estimated 12% of sufferers with jaundice. Small percentages of those infected by either can develop severe hemorrhagic variants that can prove fatal. Patrick Pleul/dpa

Travellers are being urged to plan ahead and take precautions amid a rise in mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue and malaria, to pre-pandemic levels.

Cases of the diseases have risen to levels not seen since 2019, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned.

Dengue is not usually serious but can be severe in some cases, with symptoms similar to flu.

Malaria causes a fever, headaches, confusion and muscle pains among other symptoms and can be fatal. You can not catch either infection from another person.

The majority of the UK's registered cases were with people who caught the disease while travelling to Southern and South East Asia, particularly India.

There was also a spike in cases from Central America and the Caribbean, the UKHSA said.

"If you are making plans to travel abroad this year, please take a moment to prioritise your health and plan ahead," Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said.

"If you feel unwell, seek medical attention and ensure you inform your healthcare provider that you have been travelling recently."

Dr Philip Veal, a consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said there are a number of simple steps a person can take to reduce the risk of infection, including using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under a treated bed net.

“Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infections as local people and are still at risk,” he added.

The Travel Health Pro website, which is supported by the UKHSA, provides information on health risks in countries across the world.

It recommends travellers should consult a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic four to six weeks before their trip for advice on vaccinations.

UKHSA also urged travellers to ensure they are fully up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jabs, especially if going abroad with children. It warned that returning from countries with a high circulation of measles could make any outbreaks at home worse.

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