Dengue fever danger at the 2014 World Cup

Dengue fever is spreading: danger at the 2014 World Cup and in Europe

01/04/2014

The dangerous dengue fever is spreading rapidly worldwide. The number of cases has increased 30-fold over the past 50 years. Even in Europe, there were repeated infections. Football fans preparing for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil should think about adequate mosquito repellent because dengue is widespread in the South American country. 100,000 dead every year due to dengue fever

Football fans who set off for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in June and July should think about adequate mosquito repellent. In the South American country, the tiger mosquito is widespread and this transmits the sometimes fatal dengue fever. Dr. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, a virologist at the Hamburg Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, said: „Worldwide, up to 100,000 people die each year from dengue fever.“ In Brazil alone, about 1.6 million people fall ill each year. Dengue fever is a disease of the cities there, as the mosquitoes on the littered streets find perfect habitats.

Particularly high risk of infection at mass events
According to the virologist, the risk of infection in mass events such as the World Cup is particularly high. Epidemiology Professor Simon Hay of Oxford University had already warned of the danger last year. In a contribution to the opinion in the science journal „Nature“ He said that the infection risk in the three venues Fortaleza, Natal and Salvador, which are all located in the northeast of the country, is expected to peak at the time of the games. He also pointed out that this situation can not be predicted accurately. Schmidt-Chanasit said that some states, such as Bahia, where the German team plays, are high-endment areas. Over half a million international football fans are expected to attend the World Cup, including tens of thousands from Germany. Due to the many fans, there is a risk that infected mosquitoes will reach Europe.

No vaccine against dengue fever
The clinical spectrum in the case of infection ranges from mild forms that are almost symptom-free, flu-like symptoms with muscle and joint pain to high fever. In rare cases, shock or bleeding may occur, sometimes resulting in death. There is no vaccine against dengue fever as well as drugs for the causal treatment. It is advised to pay attention to adequate protection such as long clothing, sheltered windows, mosquito nets and bug spray. Experts also advise bright clothes, as dark colors attract mosquitoes.

2.5 billion people threatened by dengue
Dengue fever has been spreading enormously for years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of cases has increased 30-fold over the past 50 years. Dengue fever is one of the vector-borne diseases, including this year's World Health Day on April 7. This refers to diseases whose pathogens are transmitted by so-called vectors that do not even get sick, as in this case mosquitoes. According to WHO, around 2.5 billion people worldwide are currently threatened by dengue viruses. It is estimated that around 390 million people are infected with the virus every year.

Numerous cases in European countries
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 879 dengue infections in Germany last year. According to Schmidt-Chanasit these are „as many reported cases as never before. Since 2001, the number has increased more than tenfold.“ The disease is not only introduced from countries such as Thailand, India or Brazil, but also in Europe infection is possible. So it came in 2010 in Croatia and shortly afterwards in the south of France to dengue infections. More than 2,000 people became infected in 2012 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Even if the outbreak is considered over there, there is no permanent all-clear. Thomas Jänisch from the University Hospital Heidelberg, said: „It can always come back to an outbreak.“ Behind the cases on Madeira was the yellow fever mosquito, which does not occur on mainland Europe. By contrast, the Asian tiger mosquito is now very well to be found on the continent. She now lives in Italy, France, Spain and for about three years in southern Germany. However, in Germany, no investigated specimen has ever carried the dengue virus, according to Schmidt-Chanasit. Nevertheless, he warns: „In principle, any mosquito that stings an infected person can continue to transmit the virus.“ The two mosquito species are the main vectors of dengue viruses. (Sb)

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