People planning to travel to Ibiza over the summer are being warned of an increased risk of dengue fever after an outbreak on the Spanish island.
Health officials have issued an alert to say that the usual “low” risk increases to “moderate” between May and November.
The alert comes after six German tourists were infected while visiting the Balearic island between August and November last year.
A 27-year-old woman tested positive after visiting Ibiza for a week in August 2022 with her partner and her one-year-old daughter.
All three had symptoms including fever, joint pain and rash, but only the woman was tested.
A 37-year-old woman, her partner and her nine-year-old son who traveled to the same city in October were also probable cases.
Spanish authorities believe the index case of the outbreak that affected German tourists was a Spanish holidaymaker who had traveled to Mexico and traveled to Ibiza on his way home to Madrid.
The man began showing symptoms – fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting – on August 11, the day he arrived in Ibiza.
The current risk of catching dengue fever in Ibiza is classified as low until May, said the Health and Emergency Coordination Center, under the Spanish Ministry of Health.
The summer months see the greatest mosquito activity – coinciding with the greatest influx of tourists.
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Dengue fever is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and causes flu-like symptoms, according to the NHS.
Symptoms normally begin four to ten days after infection and include a high temperature, severe headache, joint pain, vomiting, and a blotchy rash.
It’s usually not serious and often gets better on its own – however, some people get a more serious type of dengue fever, the NHS website says.
It is not in the UK and cannot be caught by another person.
