The Public Health Secretariat of the Health Department of the Generalitat has confirmed two cases of dengue in Malgrat de Mar (Maresme). Dengue is a disease caused by a virus, which is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito. Therefore, it recommends that people who experience a sudden onset of fever of more than 37.7 accompanied by at least two other symptoms such as a severe headache, pain behind the eyes or nausea or vomiting, contact the CAP. .
The Generalitat and the City Council have begun to distribute information letters in all the heavy houses to inform about this virus. Dengue is a disease caused by the dengue virus that is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito. The main vectors of the virus are mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, especially the tiger mosquito.
In Catalonia, cases of dengue are recorded annually in travelers returning from endemic areas, who can transmit the disease through mosquito bites to other people and give rise to cases among the native population. In order to prevent dengue from continuing to be transmitted, when these cases are detected, surveillance and control measures are tightened in the area.
Two cases of dengue have been reported in Malgrat de Mar. Given this, the Department of Health informs citizens that it is important that, even if they have not traveled, if in the last 10 days or from now on they have had or have any of the following symptoms, it is necessary to contact CAP: - Sudden onset of fever ≥37.7ºC accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms: severe headache; pain behind the eyeballs; nausea or vomiting; acne; muscle and joint pain. The family doctor will assess what tests are necessary to confirm or rule out the disease.
Dengue is not transmitted from person to person. The intervention of a tiger mosquito is always necessary. The common mosquito does not transmit the disease. An infected mosquito can transmit it throughout its life cycle, which is between 10 and 42 days. That is why in recent days, the City Council has reinforced the treatment it periodically carries out to combat the tiger mosquito.
Dengue is a widespread disease in tropical and subtropical countries. Every year imported cases are reported in Catalonia in people returning from trips to these countries. In 2022 there were 120 confirmed cases in Catalonia. All imported. In 2018 and 2019 there were autochthonous cases in Spain (two in Catalonia) and France, in 2020 in Italy and France (11 and 13 cases respectively) and in 2022 outbreaks were detected in Ibiza, with 6 cases, and in France, with 9 outbreaks and 65 cases.
At the beginning of August 2023, in Catalonia, the first case of indigenous transmission of dengue this year was detected, in the Tarragona area.
