Concerns Over Possible Major Dengue Fever Epidemic in Paraguay

From October 2019 through 6 January 2020, there were more than 1,176 people diagnosed with dengue fever nationwide. However, no deaths were recorded. Approximately 40 per cent of all cases were registered in the capital city of Asunción. The Director of Health Surveillance is concerned that this year (2020), the country may experience a major epidemic of this virus since many of the conditions that favour the spread of dengue fever by infected mosquitoes are present.

Advice

The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities. The risk of acquiring dengue during travel depends on destination, season and duration of travel and activities during travel. Severe dengue and death are both relatively rare in general travellers but more frequently in those visiting friends and relatives.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.

Travellers should also be aware that where dengue fever virus is active, there is a possibility in some locations that the chikungunya and Zika viruses may be present also since they are transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue virus.