By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice for Asia and the Pacific Islands due to an ongoing risk of dengue.

Image/CDC

Dengue is an ongoing risk in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Travelers to areas of risk should protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. In addition, the countries listed below are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases, and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased risk: Bangladesh, French Polynesia (Tahiti and Bora Bora), Marshall Islands, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

In addition to Asia and the Pacific Islands, CDC also issued travel notices for Africa and the Middle East and the Americas due to increased, ongoing dengue fever.

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Because dengue is spread by mosquito bites, all travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens or under an insecticide-treated bed net.

Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.

Health effects from dengue include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.

Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.

In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death. Severe dengue is an emergency requiring immediate medical attention.