Fears grow over deadly ‘breakbone fever’ outbreak in the UK as mega mosquito traps are installed
MOSQUITO traps are being installed across the south of England to counter the growing spread of dengue fever.
Dengue – a sometimes lethal disease spread by mosquitoes – is inching closer to the UK each year, research shows.
The “breakbone fever” has been spotted in France, Italy and most recently Cyprus.
In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is installing mega mosquito traps in ports, service stations and truck stops in places like London and Kent.
This is to monitor the number of mosquitos – Aedes albopictus – transported via lorry and shipping containers into the country.
Local health officials are also being trained to better spot the mozzie.
Health officials hope to put the safety measures in place by spring 2024.
“We’re expanding as the threat increases. In the last two years, there have been an increasing number of cases of dengue in Europe,” Dr Jolyon Medlock, Head of Medical Entomology at UKHSA, told the Telegraph.
“It’s all about ensuring we’re using the right traps in the right place.”
Dengue fever is becoming more common in Europe.
In 2022, there were 71 cases of locally acquired dengue in Europe, the same number recorded over the whole of the previous 11 years.
Some 65 of the 2022 cases were in France, while six were in Spain.
Paris was recently fumigated for the first time this year to stop disease-ridden mosquitoes from spreading dengue across the French capital.
Italian health authorities reported the first locally acquired dengue case on August 18.
More recently, the bug has cropped up in Croatia, Spain, Portugal and Madeira.
There were no detections of the mosquito in the UK prior to 2016, but there have been six separate detections in South East England since.
The viral infection is spread to humans by mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) dengue infects 100 to 400 million people a year.
Many dengue infections are asymptomatic, but the virus can cause a rash and intense muscle pain, hence its nickname ‘breakbone fever’.
About one in 10 of those infected will develop severe dengue, which can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
A recent report, by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), revealed the mosquito is now established in 26 European countries – including 14 within the EU.
The Aedes albopictus also carries diseases like yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya
Typically, the mosquito resides in tropical climates.
But scientists say climate change, which brings frequent heatwaves and flooding to Europe, has created more favourable conditions for the critters.
The tiny insects cannot travel long distances on their own but hitchhike onto vehicles like trains and vans.
The 14 symptoms of dengue fever to know
Dengue won’t always cause symptoms, according to NHS guidance.
But if you do experience some, they’ll usually come on four to 10 days after an infected mosquito bites you.
The symptoms can be similar to the flu and include:
- a high temperature
- a severe headache
- pain behind your eyes
- muscle and joint pain
- feeling or being sick
- swollen glands
- a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body
- severe tummy pain
- repeatedly being sick
- fast breathing
- bleeding gums or nose
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- being unable to relax (restlessness)
- blood in your vomit or poo
The latter seven symptoms listed only tend to occur in severe cases of dengue – you should call 999 or go to A&E if you experience them.
If your symptoms are milder, you can treat them at home by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol to bring down any temperature.
But the NHS notes that you should avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, as they can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue.