Scots tourists given urgent warning after holiday hotspot sees massive spike in deadly disease

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The beautiful Republic of Cape Verde is a popular destination for Scottish tourists who want guaranteed good weather and an escape from the rain and snow of winter.Tui, Hays Travel, Thomas Cook and First Choice all offer package holidays to the archipelago, which boasts powder-soft beaches fringed by crystalline azure waters.Situated off the coast of Senegal in Africa, these sun-soaked islands are a popular choice for those looking for a beach getaway, however visitors are being advised to take precautions after a spike in cases of the deadly mosquito borne illness, dengue fever.Dengue has no known cure: people are simply given medicine to help with pain and fever.

Many cases clear up on their own, however some can turn into severe dengue, which causes internal bleeding and organ failure, and can be fatal.

Untreated severe dengue fever has a mortality rate of 10–20%. Thankfully, severe dengue is rare.The UK Foreign Office has issued an update to all British travellers, stating that cases of the disease have increased in the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava, reports Manchester Evening News.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “The Cape Verde government has raised the civil protection warning level for dengue on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.” Travel Health Pro, a government-run website, adds that there is a “risk” of the disease in Cape Verde.

It states that as of 14 April 2024, a total of 1,127 dengue cases have been reported.Travel Health Pro urges travellers to avoid mosquito bites particularly during daytime hours, adding: “A dengue vaccine is licensed in the UK for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals from 4 years of age.