Dengue and chikungunya

Latest update: 10 March 2022 - Authors: Mieke Croughs, Ula Maniewski-Kelner

Dengue and chikungunya are viral diseases that are transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes mainly bite during the day.

Most people have no symptoms.

However, some develop a fever, headache, pronounced muscle and joint pains or skin rashes after a few days up to two weeks.

In rare cases, dengue can cause severe symptoms such as shock and life-threatening bleeding.

There is no specific treatment for these diseases.

Risk areas

These diseases occur in (sub-)tropical regions (dengue map and chikungunya map).

However, in recent years there have also been several outbreaks in non-tropical regions, such as Southern Europe.

The mosquitoes primarily live in and around buildings in cities, but also in rural areas. There is usually no risk above an altitude of 2000 metres.

Be thorough in the use of mosquito-repellent measures, from sunrise to sunset.

There is no suitable vaccine for travellers yet.