Dengue Fever: What Every Traveller Should Know

2026-06-14

Dengue fever is one of the most common mosquito-borne infections affecting travellers worldwide, and cases reported in returning UK holidaymakers have been climbing steadily over the past few years. If you're planning a trip to a tropical or subtropical destination, understanding how dengue spreads — and what you can do about it — is one of the most practical things you can do before you fly.

Where is dengue a risk, and is it getting worse?

The short answer is yes, the risk is genuinely increasing. Dengue is now endemic in over 100 countries across South and South-East Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Pacific. Popular destinations for travellers from Altrincham and Greater Manchester — Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic among them — all carry significant dengue risk.

What's changed in recent years is the geographic spread. TravelHealthPro regularly updates outbreaks, and in 2024 and into 2025, record-high dengue case numbers were reported across South America, particularly Brazil, and parts of South-East Asia. Even parts of southern Europe have seen locally acquired cases, which would have been almost unheard of a decade ago. Climate change is expanding the range of the Aedes mosquito, so this is a trend worth watching.

Why dengue is different from malaria

One of the most important things to understand about dengue is when the mosquito bites. Unlike the malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquito, which feeds predominantly at night, the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries dengue is an aggressive daytime biter. It tends to be most active in the two hours after sunrise and the few hours before sunset, though it can bite at any point during the day.

This catches a lot of travellers off guard. People who are careful about using nets at night — which is essential if you're visiting malaria-risk areas — sometimes forget that they need to be covering up and applying repellent during the day as well when dengue is a concern.

What does dengue actually feel like?

Dengue is sometimes called "breakbone fever," and once you've heard that, you tend to remember it. The classic presentation is a sudden high fever (often 39–40°C), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and intense muscle and joint aches that can be genuinely debilitating. A rash may appear a few days in, and some people experience nausea and vomiting.

Most people recover within one to two weeks, but it's important to know the warning signs of severe dengue, which is a medical emergency. These include:

Severe abdominal pain
Persistent vomiting
Bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in urine or stools
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
Fatigue and restlessness

If you or someone in your group develops any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Severe dengue can progress quickly and requires hospital care.

There's also no specific antiviral treatment for dengue — management is supportive. Importantly, avoid ibuprofen and aspirin if you think you might have dengue, as these can increase bleeding risk. Paracetamol is the preferred option for fever and pain (please check current guidance with a healthcare professional).

How to protect yourself: bite avoidance

Because there's been no vaccine routinely available for most adult travellers until recently (more on that below), bite avoidance has always been the cornerstone of dengue prevention. The good news is that these measures are straightforward and effective:

Use an insect repellent containing DEET (at least 50% for tropical destinations), picaridin, or IR3535 — apply it to all exposed skin during the day, and reapply after sweating or swimming
Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing in light colours where practical, especially in the early morning and late afternoon
Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or well-screened accommodation where possible
Use a mosquito net — even during daytime naps in high-risk areas
Remove standing water around where you're staying, as Aedes mosquitoes breed in small containers of still water

These aren't just useful for dengue — they cover you against other mosquito-borne conditions too.

The dengue vaccine (Qdenga): who is it for?

A dengue vaccine called Qdenga (TAK-003) has become available in the UK, and it's an option worth discussing if you're a frequent traveller or heading somewhere with high dengue transmission. It's given as two doses, around three months apart (please check current guidance on scheduling).

The important clinical context: Qdenga is currently recommended primarily for people who have had a confirmed dengue infection in the past. There is an evolving evidence base around its use in dengue-naive travellers, and current guidance reflects some caution in that group. This makes a proper pre-travel consultation essential — it's not simply a case of booking any vaccine off a list. A travel health clinician will look at your previous dengue exposure, travel itinerary, and overall risk profile before recommending it.

If you're travelling from the Altrincham or Trafford area and want to discuss whether Qdenga is suitable for you, our team can advise as part of a travel health consultation. We also offer the full range of travel vaccines — you can browse what we provide on our vaccine finder page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I catch dengue in Europe?

Locally acquired dengue cases have been reported in parts of southern France, Italy, and Spain in recent years, linked to established Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) populations. The risk remains low compared to tropical regions, but it's worth being aware of if you're travelling to southern Europe during summer months. Check TravelHealthPro for current outbreak information.

Is there a test for dengue I can get before I travel?

There's no pre-travel test to check immunity (unless you've had a formally confirmed previous infection). If you become unwell after returning from a dengue-risk area, a GP or travel clinic can arrange appropriate blood tests.

Does the dengue vaccine mean I don't need to bother with repellent?

No. Whether or not you've had the vaccine, bite avoidance remains essential. No vaccine offers 100% protection, and the same mosquito can transmit other infections including Zika and chikungunya.

Ready to plan your travel health?

If you're heading somewhere with dengue risk and you'd like a proper pre-travel assessment, our pharmacists are here to help. We're based at 250 Stockport Road in Timperley, easily accessible from Sale, Hale, and across South Manchester, and we're open seven days a week with walk-ins welcome. You can also book a consultation online or call us on 0161 948 5066. Don't leave it to the last minute — if Qdenga turns out to be right for you, you'll need time for both doses before departure.