Travellers heading to Bali have been issued with a well being warning after a surge of individuals returned house to Australia with dengue fever.
Western Australia has recorded 138 instances of dengue fever this 12 months, twice the variety of instances in comparison with the identical time final 12 months.
WA Well being mentioned most of these instances have been acquired in Indonesia, which has reported greater than 60,000 instances of dengue fever this 12 months.
Dengue virus is transmitted to individuals through the chew of an contaminated mosquito and whereas most individuals may have gentle or no signs, those that are contaminated a second time are at higher threat of extreme illness which will be deadly.
The Communicable Illness Management’s appearing director, Dr Jelena Maticevic, mentioned the most effective defence towards dengue fever was to guard towards mosquito bites when visiting Bali or different high-risk nations.
“Dengue fever is unfold via mosquitoes which are likely to chew throughout the day and are normally discovered round buildings in city or semi-urban areas.” Dr Maticevic mentioned.
“Signs of dengue fever could embody fever, rash, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle ache, with extra extreme illness presenting with belly ache, vomiting, and bleeding from the gums or nostril.
“There isn’t any particular therapy for this sickness, nonetheless the danger of contracting dengue fever will be considerably diminished by defending towards mosquitoes when travelling abroad.”
Travellers can take the suitable steps to forestall mosquito bites throughout their abroad holidays by avoiding areas of excessive mosquito exercise and sporting lengthy, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes.
Making use of a chemical-based insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), also referred to as PMD can even stop mosquito bites.
WA Well being instructed travellers ought to sleep below a mattress web, ideally one which was handled with an insecticide, and may shut all doorways and home windows that would not have insect screens.
Folks also needs to request that their resort rooms be sprayed for mosquitoes if they’re current.
Anybody who turns into sick after they return to Australia ought to see their physician instantly.