Travel warning for 16 countries with higher risk of painful disease
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- The CDC issued a level 1 global travel advisory due to an increase in dengue fever cases, a mosquito-borne disease causing severe symptoms like brain bleeding and vomiting.
- Sixteen countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Vietnam, were identified as higher-risk destinations for travelers contracting dengue fever.
- Dengue symptoms can develop within two weeks and range from fever and rash to severe hemorrhage, organ failure, and death, with over 6,800 cases confirmed in the US in 2024, primarily linked to international travel.
- Travelers are advised to take precautions such as wearing long-sleeved clothing, using EPA-approved insect repellent, and sleeping in screened or air-conditioned rooms to prevent mosquito bites.
- There is no vaccine available for US travelers, and treatment focuses on symptom relief with acetaminophen, fluids, and rest, as dengue remains a year-round global threat with millions infected annually.
