Travel Safe: Colombia Warns of Dengue Fever Outbreak

On Wednesday the Colombian health authorities alerted its population to an unfortunate outbreak of dengue fever. Since January there has been 1,600 confirmed cases.

What is the dengue fever?

It is an infectious disease of the tropics that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is characterized by rash, severe headache, and aching joints. The Red Cross representatives in Colombia fear that many infected with the virus will not seek medical treatment, confusing the symptoms with those of a common cold. Another common name is “breakbone fever.”

Precautions

The Deputy Health Minister, Fernando Ruiz, asked the public to take extra precautions and to be careful with standing water tanks where there is a high chance of mosquitoes that generate the dengue virus.

If you are traveling in an area where dengue fever is known to occur take precaution by wearing long pants, long sleeve shirts, high socks, mosquito repellent, and sleeping under a mosquito net.

Treatment

If you think you may be infected with the dengue fever seek medical attention. The condition generally lasts a week or more and although it is extremely uncomfortable and can leave you with febrile convulsions and severe dehydration, dengue fever is not deadly.

Check the Centers for Disease Control to see a map of reported dengue cases from around the world.