The National Center for Microbiology of the Carlos III Health Institute confirmed recently (computer translated) the first known documented autochthonous dengue transmission in Spain.

Image/Robert Herriman
Image/Robert Herriman

Two people living in the Region of Murcia had confirmed cases and third case, who resides in the Community of Madrid is pending confirmation. The two confirmed cases have been discharged and are in good health.

All three cases are in adults that belong to the same family and had onset of symptoms in late August 2018 after spending time together in municipalities in the Murcia region and Cádiz province during the possible time of infection. None have a history of travel.

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The only competent vector for the transmission of the virus in Spain is the Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito), which is widely spread in the country and especially in the Mediterranean area.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are four closely related but antigenically different serotypes of the virus that can cause dengue (DEN1, DEN 2, DEN 3, DEN 4).

  • Dengue Fever (DF) – marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in muscles and joints. Some may also have a rash and varying degree of bleeding from various parts of the body (including nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising).Dengue has a wide spectrum of infection outcome (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Symptomatic illness can vary from dengue fever (DF) to the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
  • Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) – is a more severe form, seen only in a small proportion of those infected. DHF is a stereotypic illness characterized by 3 phases; febrile phase with high continuous fever usually lasting for less than 7 days; critical phase (plasma leaking) lasting 1-2 days usually apparent when fever comes down, leading to shock if not detected and treated early; convalescence phase lasting 2-5 days with improvement of appetite, bradycardia (slow heart rate), convalescent rash (white patches in red background), often accompanied by generalized itching (more intense in palms and soles), and diuresis (increase urine output).
  • Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — Shock syndrome is a dangerous complication of dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. Severe dengue occurs as a result of secondary infection with a different virus serotype. Increased vascular permeability, together with myocardial dysfunction and dehydration, contribute to the development of shock, with resultant multiorgan failure.

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