Traveller, take into account the risk of mosquito-borne diseases
Are you travelling during Christmas or winter holidays? Those travelling to far-off destinations should remember the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases are widespread in the southern hemisphere, also at destinations favoured by tourists. Remember to check the country-specific disease situation and recommendations well before your trip.
Mosquitoes transmit several diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, as well as zika, chikungunya and oropouche infections.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reminds those planning long-distance trips in winter to review the country-specific recommendations and get the necessary vaccines.
Those travelling to sub-Saharan Africa should also take care of anti-malarial medication. This also applies to visitors in their former homelands. Approximately 50 cases of malaria are diagnosed annually in Finland, of which a significant proportion originate from the African continent.
Globally, the most common mosquito-borne viral disease is dengue fever. In Finland, an average of 50 dengue fever cases are diagnosed annually, most of which are typically from Southeast Asia. At present, dengue fever is also particularly prevalent in South and Central America.
Furthermore, this year, outbreaks of the oropouche virus have increased significantly in Cuba and Brazil.
Especially pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy should take into account the disease situation at the long-distance destination
Zika, oropouche and dengue virus infections can cause pregnancy complications and fetal damage. For this reason, pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy should take into account the disease situation at the destination and, if necessary, consider postponing the trip.
The zika and oropouche viruses may also be transmitted through unprotected sex via semen for a few months after infection, which should be taken into account in families planning a pregnancy.
Protect yourself against mosquito bites with clothes, mosquito nets and repellents – also remember to mention the trip if you fall ill
It is necessary to protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times of the day. Virus infections are spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, such as the tiger mosquito, which also sting during the day. The mosquitoes spreading malaria, on the other hand, sting at dusk, night and dawn.
Protecting yourself against mosquitoes should be remembered both in the city and in nature. Mosquitoes of the Aedes family also thrive in urban areas and indoors.
It is good to protect yourself against mosquito bites by using light-coloured covering clothes and insect repellents. The use of mosquito nets treated with insecticides and spread over the bed is recommended especially in malaria risk areas.
Mosquito-borne viral diseases often have a similar clinical profile. Common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, muscle and joint pain and rash.
If you experience fever during a trip to the tropics, always seek medical attention. If you seek medical attention after the trip, remember to mention the trip even if a long time has passed.
Additional information
- Protection against mosquito bites (in Finnish)
- Infectious diseases preventable by vaccinations for travellers (in Finnish)
- Prevention of malaria (in Finnish)
Erika Lindh
Senior Researcher
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 8039
[email protected]
Tuula Hannila-Handelberg
Chief Physician
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 7701
[email protected]
