What are the symptoms and implications of Dengue fever?
Dengue fever (also known as Break Bone Fever) is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito and the Yellow fever mosquito. Regions of the greatest risk are northern Australia, southeast Asia, India, parts of Africa and parts of the Americas. In 90% of the cases of infection, flu-like symptoms will be observed. In the other 10% of the cases, a sudden high fever of up to 41° C is accompanied by a headache, limb, joint, and muscle pain and occasionally a skin rash. After approximately five days another fever attack usually follows and then the recovery phase begins which can drag on for several weeks. The most severe form of Dengue fever is the so-called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and it is associated with internal bleeding. Each year more than 10 million people will become infected with the Dengue virus, and a hundred thousand people will develop the severe form, DHF. In most countries roughly 5% of people suffering from DHF die. Where there are good medical services this percentage dro
