As health officials grapple with the spread of dengue fever at the Olympics, here is advice on limiting exposure and avoiding infection.
The 2024 Olympic Games officially opened in the French capital, Paris, on Friday, attracting millions of athletes, spectators and tourists from around the world.
There are concerns that the influx of visitors to this major global event could lead to the spread of a range of diseases, including mosquito-borne illnesses.
One infectious disease that has been receiving a lot of attention recently is dengue fever due to a sharp increase in cases over the past few months.
Dengue fever is not common in Northern Europe, but it is beginning to spread across the continent, driven by local mosquitoes that carry the virus.
Dengue cases have also been reported in the Paris area.
Ahead of the Olympics, “Dengue Detectives” were sent to Paris to monitor the Asian dengue mosquito, which feeds on humans and spreads the virus.
“It is true that the Olympics are a crucial time and we are prioritizing surveillance in places where large gatherings are held, where the risk of infection is highest,” Cécile Sommariva, director of health surveillance and safety at the Paris Metropolitan Health Authority (ARS), told The Telegraph.
Health officials said 526 nest traps were being tested for the presence of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, with prioritization being given to areas where large gatherings are expected to take place to curb the risk of infection.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
Dengue fever, also known as broken bone fever, is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), symptoms of the infection include high fever, severe headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and a rash.
These symptoms usually occur 4 to 10 days after infection.
Symptoms usually improve within one to two weeks, but some people can develop severe dengue fever, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Still, many dengue infections are asymptomatic or cause only a mild illness.
Tips to avoid dengue fever
Authorities said that with heightened vigilance and confirmed cases in the Paris region, event attendees should take precautions to avoid infection.
The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites. WHO recommended advice What to follow to protect yourself from dengue fever.
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Wear protective clothing: Choose long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes to cover up as much of your body as possible.
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Use mosquito repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
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Using a screen window: Make sure your windows and doors have proper screens to keep mosquitoes out.
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Use mosquito coils and humidifiers: These can be particularly effective at reducing indoor mosquito populations.
However, if an infection does occur, rest, drinking plenty of fluids and using paracetamol to relieve pain are recommended.
If the infection is severe, it is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible and seek treatment in hospital.
