Visiting Paris during the OlympicGames will make you part of a 'natural experiment', as experts claim it could become a dengue fever 'super-spreader event'.
The mosquito-carried virus is already present in France's capital with several cases in September of last year representing the most northerly outbreak recorded in Europe.
These are among a huge spike in dengue cases recorded in Europe, withclimate changebelieved to be making the continent more hospitable for the mosquitoes that pass the infection to humans through bites.
With over 15million visitors, as well as thousands of athletes and dignitaries, predicted to descend upon Paris In July and August for the Olympics there are fears infections could spread rapidly.
Experts say the bloodsucking insects which spread dengue, historically known as 'breakbone fever', are 'perfectly adapted' to the Parisian urban environment.
Visiting Paris during the Olympics will make you part of a 'natural experiment', as experts claim the athletic extravaganza could be a dengue 'super-spreader'
Experts say the tiger mosquito, one of the bloodsucking insects capable of spreading dengue, is 'perfectly adapted' to Paris with a number of cases recorded in the city last year
Dengue is a potentially deadly virus passed to people by infected mosquitoes and was historically known as 'breakbone fever'
Dengue picked up in Paris could also, in theory, go on to trigger more cases elsewhere as people carrying her virus return home, potentially seeding further outbreaks.
Writing in the Conversation, Dr Mark Booth, an expert in parasite epidemiology at Newcastle University, saidfor the Olympics to become a super spreader event, a number of factors needed to overlap.
Not only must there be enough mosquitoes, but enough people already people infected with dengue, enough people who can get dengue and enough time for the insects to transmit the infection between the two.
However, with the Olympics taking place between July 26 and August 11 and over 7.6million known global cases of dengue recorded in 2024 so far, these conditions are present.
Over 200 countries are sending athletes to Paris, and alongside visitors, many could be carrying dengue already before attending, providing a wide range of potential sources for infections.
'Within the time frame of the Olympics, an infected athlete or spectator could be bitten once by a mosquito and seed an epidemic in a week or so. Each female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at a time,' Dr Booth wrote.
He added: 'Anyone living, working, visiting, competing, volunteering or even just passing through Paris during the Olympic period is going to be part of a huge natural experiment – whether they know it or not.'
Part of the problem is that only an estimated one in four dengue infections actually cause symptoms, but these people can still be bitten and spread the infection to others.
While a dengue vaccine is available it isn't dished out on the NHS leaving Brits who want protection from the virus no option to buy it privately.
Delivered in two doses private clinics charge almost £300 for the two doses considered to offer the best protection.
Dengue symptoms typically strike between four to 10 days after being bitten and typically manifests asflu like symptoms.
This map shows areas where mosquitoes capable of carrying dengue have been introduced in Britain. These populations have not yet established a permanent presence in the UK but experts have warned climate change means their spread is inevitable
Patients generally suffer a fever that lasts for between two and seven days — this may peak, reduce and then peak again during this time.
During the first days, this may be accompanied by facial redness.
Other common symptoms at this stage include a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain — giving the disease its 'bone-breaker' moniker — nausea and vomiting and swollen glands.
A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body within three to seven days after the fever starts — thought to be caused by an immune system reaction to the virus. This is itchy is around a quarter of patients.
Although less common, bleeding gums may also be seen.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes.
In most cases, the infection is mild and passes in around a week.
Symptoms usually include:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Widespread rash
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
There is no cure or specific treatment.
Patients can relieve their symptoms via painkillers, staying hydrated and resting.
In rare cases, dengue symptoms can develop into severe dengue, with symptoms including:
- Severe skin bleeding with spots of blood on and under the skin
- Blood in the urine and stools
- Respiratory distress - when the lungs cannot provide the vital organs with enough oxygen
- Organ failure
- Changes in mental state and unconsciousness
- Dangerously low blood pressure
Severe dengue is usually treated via a blood and platelet transfusion, IV fluids for rehydration and oxygen therapy if levels are low.
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Brits with dengue symptoms who have been in an area where the disease is known to occur are advised to contact their GP or NHS 111 for an urgent appointment.
This is due to a risk of a potentially life-threatening complication that typically strikes just as people start to feel better.
While people infected with dengue recover after one to two weeks, there is a chance some can develop a far more serious form of the infection.
Called 'severe dengue' this is a life-threatening condition that develops in about one to 20 cases (five per cent) of people being infected with the virus.
Experts estimate this version of dengue kills half of people who suffer it.
Symptoms of severe dengue include severe stomach pain, repeatedly being sick, fast breathing, bleeding gums, nose bleeds, extreme tiredness, restlessness and blood in your vomit or faeces.
These typically strike after between 24 to 48 hours after the initial wave of dengue symptoms has passed and people start to feel better.
It is a serious medical emergency and people with symptoms are advised to call 999 or head to A&E as soon as possible.
People who have had dengue previously are known to be more at risk of suffering a severe version of disease in the future from subsequent infections.
The NHS nowwarns people that dengue is a risk on European holiday-destinations like Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal and Madeira between Spring and November. This time period covers the 2024 Olympics in France.
It also advises that people who are more vulnerable to dengue, such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system should avoid traveling to areas where the virus is present.
Dengue in Europe isn't just a Parisian problem, a totalof 130 cases of the disease were recorded in the EU and EEA last year, almost double the number compared to the previous year.
And health officials fear this is part of a growing trend. Case totals for 2023 and 2022 are a huge spike compared to the 73 cases recorded on the continent between 2010 and 2021.
Dengue historically known as 'breakbone fever' because of the severe pain it can cause in the muscles and the joints, is normally endemic to Central and South America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.
But experts warn that climate changeis making Europe more hospitable for the mosquitoes that carry the disease.
Prevention is considered the best way to avoid getting dengue and people visiting areas where the disease is prevalent are take steps to reduce their risk of mosquito bites.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that has been historically confined to tropical or subtropical climates . It infects an estimated 400million people a year. Pictured: A house in Peru beingfumigated against mosquitoes to prevent the spread of the disease
These include wearing long sleeved clothing and trousers, using insect repellent, keeping unscreened windows closed in their accommodation, and sleeping under a mosquito net.
People should be especially cautious during the early morning and early evening as these are when mosquitoes are most active.
Dengue transmission is currently not considered a risk in the UK, though mosquitoes capable of carrying the virus have been found in the wild in Britain previously.
A total of 634 dengue cases were recorded by The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in 2023.
These were all imported cases, where someone was infected while overseas and then fell ill upon returning.
UKHSA officials warned the figure was now approaching pre-Covid levels after cases naturally dived during the pandemic due to travel restrictions and urged travellers to be vigilant.
Experts have previously warned dengue is among a number of diseases that could become established the UK due to a'slow march north' of insects due to climate change.
Globally, there were a reported 6.5million cases of dengue of which 7,300 resulted in death in 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, the WHO says modelling suggests there are 390million actual infections per year.
