The 2024 Olympics are just days away, and the world will focus on it and Paris. One unwelcome visitor that may make an appearance is Dengue fever.
Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal in the world because they carry so many diseases, transmitting them when they extract blood from a host. Dengue fever is a virus that can be transmitted to humans via the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti is originally from Africa and Aedes albopictus is from Asia. Until recently, they lived in tropical and subtropical regions but increasingly these pests are finding homes in temperate climates like Noth America and Europe. That being the case, the 2024 Olympics in Paris could become a hotspot for a major Dengue outbreak.
The signs and symptoms of Dengue fever are fever, aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain), nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Most people recover after about a week. However, subsequent infections can cause severe complications. On May 28, 2024, in an NBC Health article, Kaitlin Sullivan, Anne Thompson and Patrick Martin quoted Michael von Fricken, director of the One Health Center of Excellence at the University of Florida in Gainesville, “After you’ve had your first exposure, your risk of having dengue hemorrhagic fever or severe symptoms increases exponentially,” and they went on to write, “Dengue also becomes deadlier with each infection.*” Therefore, Dengue fever is a serious health concern.
Unfortunately, for those planning and preparing for the Olympics, it is another threat that must be on their list. It became an item on the list because, as a CNN article reported, “In September 2023, several people came down with dengue fever in Paris, France. The presence of this mosquito-borne disease was notable for two reasons. It was the most northerly outbreak ever recorded, and none of the people had travelled recently. This demonstrated it is now possible for dengue to be transmitted locally in northern Europe.***” Not only is it apparent that the Ades mosquitoes are present in Paris, but travelers from the world over will come to the Olympics. Think back to last week’s post (Topic # 89) and recall that travelers can carry diseases.
You and I have no control over the plans and preparations that are being taken for the Olympics to be safe and eventful. However, we can safeguard our family and ourselves. The actions you can take are easy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the best way to prevent exposure to Dengue fever is to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Some steps are using bug repellent and ensuring your yard is free from standing water. Enjoy the summer and the Olympics but do so prudently.
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