The first documented autochthonous dengue transmission in Spain

In a follow-up on the indigenous dengue fever cases in Spain, this week the Spanish Ministry of Health (computer translated) confirmed a third autochthonous, or locally acquired dengue case in Spain.

Aedes albopictus Image/CDC
Aedes albopictus
Image/CDC

This case belongs to the same family from which two confirmed cases were reported earlier this month.

The three people started symptoms during the second half of August to coincide in a vacation in Cadiz.  All cases fully recovered and had no recent travel history to dengue-affected areas.

Investigations are currently underway into where the mosquito bites may have taken place in order to implement measures for mosquito control.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

People get the dengue virus from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not contagious from person to person. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. However, research from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust, using cartographic approaches, estimate there to be 390 million dengue infections per year worldwide.