Health officials have been preoccupied about the spread of dengue fever at the Olympics. Here's some advice to limit exposure and avoid infection.
ADVERTISEMENTThe 2024 Olympics Games officially kicked off in France’s capital, Paris, on Friday, drawing millions of athletes, spectators, and tourists from around the world.
The influx of visitors to this large-scale, global event has raised concerns about the potential spread of various illnesses, including mosquito-borne ones.
One infection that has attracted significant attention recently is dengue fever due to a surge in cases over the past couple of months.
Dengue fever, which is not common in northern Europe, has started spreading within the continent due to local mosquitoes carrying the virus.
There have also been registered cases of dengue fever in the Paris region.
"Dengue detectives" were deployed in Paris ahead of the Olympics to keep an eye on Asian tiger mosquitoes, which feed on humans and spread the virus.
"It’s true the Olympic Games are a critical moment. We are prioritising our surveillance in places that will host large gatherings. This is where risk of transmission is highest," Cécile Somarriba, director of health monitoring and safety at the Greater Paris Regional Health Agency (ARS), told The Telegraph.
According to health officials, 526 nesting traps are being checked for the presence of these dengue-carrying mosquitoes, with priority given to places expected to host large gatherings in an effort to limit the transmission risk.
What are the symptoms of dengue?
Dengue fever, also known as break-bone fever, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of infection include high fever, severe headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and rash.
These symptoms typically occur four to 10 days after infection.
While the symptoms usually improve within one to two weeks, some individuals might develop severe dengue, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Still, many dengue infections are asymptomatic or result in only mild illness.
Tips to avoid dengue fever
Given the heightened alert and registered cases in the Paris region, those attending the event need to take precautions to avoid getting infected, officials have said.
While the best way to prevent dengue fever is by avoiding mosquito bites, there is some WHO-recommended advice to follow to protect against dengue.
ADVERTISEMENTWear protective clothing: Choose long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes to cover as much of the body as possible.
Use mosquito repellents: Apply insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
Use screen windows: Ensure that windows and doors are properly screened to keep mosquitoes out.
Use mosquito coils and vaporizers: These could be particularly effective in reducing mosquito populations indoors.
However, if infection still occurs, people are recommended to rest, drink plenty of liquids, and use paracetamol for pain relief.
In cases where the infection is severe, it is crucial to contact your doctor and seek care in hospitals as soon as possible.
