Dengue fever in Madeira – Health advice for travellers

Dengue fever in Madeira – Health advice for travellers

Since early October 2012, cases of dengue fever have been reported in residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) and travellers having visited the island. Dengue is caused by a virus that is transmitted by a daytime mosquito. Residents and travellers visiting the island of Madeira are advised to take individual protective measures to avoid mosquito bites. Protective measures should be applied during the whole day. The Portuguese Health Authorities have issued advice for residents and travellers

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommends to travellers, who are experiencing symptoms like the ones that appear during influenza or severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain and rash within 21 days of visiting Madeira, that they seek medical advice.

Updated information about the development of the outbreak is available at the website of the ECDC, the Portuguese Directorate-General for Health and the Institute for the Administration of Health and Social Affairs, IP – Autonomous Region of Madeira.