Aussie family's Bali nightmare amid disease outbreak in tourist hotspots: 'Never going back'
Cases of dengue fever have doubled in Badung Regency, which covers some of Bali's most heavily populated tourist hotspots including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Canggu and Uluwatu. Health officials recorded 2,405 cases in 2024 compared to 1,137 the year before, according to the Bali Sun.
The region with the highest amount of dengue fever cases was Gianyar Regency – home to Ubud and its rice fields. Last year saw 4,478 confirmed cases.
'Indonesia has typically had high case numbers for dengue fever since 2019. However 2024 saw even higher numbers of cases reported specially in the first half of the year,' Associate Professor In Pathology and a dengue researcher at University of New South Wales Chaturaka Rodrigo told Yahoo News.
He added there are typically more cases during Bali's rainy season (November to April) however 'cases are seen all throughout the year in endemic countries'.
Dengue has similar symptoms to a bad flu or Covid, which can make it difficult to diagnose without a blood test.
'The typical symptoms include sudden onset fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain and vomiting. A faint red rash may also occur but its visibility depends on skin complexion,' Prof Rodrigo said.
Leah and her 16-year-old daughter Alexis were on a 'mother-daughter' trip with a couple of friends in January, when Alexis started to feel sick on their last day.
When they arrived at the airport, she vomited – twice.
'I gave her something to try to stop it and it seemed to work,' Leah told Yahoo News. 'She was fine the whole flight and the next day. On Monday she woke with a bad headache then later got a temperature.'
At an appointment with her GP on the Tuesday, the doctor suspected she had Bali belly and gave her medication and sent her home.
'That night she got so sick, temps just under 40. I decided to take her to emergency,' Leah said.
Alexis was tested for Covid and RSV – which came back negative. She also had blood tests to check for dengue, but the results would take several days.
Again, they were sent home but by Thursday, things took a worrying turn.
'On Thursday I had an appointment myself so when I got home around 11.30am I went in, woke her, told her to come out take more Panadol and eat,' Leah recalled. 'We were standing at the kitchen bench and she nearly fainted on me. I said to my husband, 'that's it I'm calling an ambulance'.'
The teenager, who her mum describes as 'very independent', was extremely fatigued, sleeping all day and barely drinking water. She also developed a rash on her foot
At the hospital, she underwent a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis. Finally, after her doctor consulted an infectious disease specialist, it was confirmed that she had dengue fever.
'Her white blood cells were extremely low so she was at risk of picking up anything and everything. We ended up in there for four nights,' Leah said.
'When we finally got realised she had to be careful to stay away from everywhere until she had a follow up blood test two days later, which thankfully they [the white blood cells] had gone back up to normal range.'
Alexis' liver, however, was still suffering. She has another blood test next week to monitor it.
The women spent most of their time in Kuta and Seminyak, with a day trip to Ubud. Leah recalled seeing 'a few' mosquitos inside their villa, and said staff came to spray the villa on one occasion.
'We won't be ever going back to Bali,' Leah said.'We had decided while there it wasn't really a place for us but we had considered next year when we maybe going to Thailand to do a couple of days stop over just to shop – but definitely won't be now.'
While the outbreaks may deter some travellers, Prof Rodrigo said the key to a safe journey is to be prepared.
'Informed and prepared travel is recommended than avoiding travel,' he said. 'Know the current outbreaks (dengue or otherwise) in the area you are visiting by looking up local news on the internet or travel web pages, be aware of how to prevent dengue and seek medical care if you fall ill.
'Also take travel insurance before departing and follow the advice on the Smart traveller website for the location you are visiting.'
Mosquitos are responsible for more than 1 million deaths a year due to the diseases they carry, according to the World Health Organisation. This makes them the deadliest animals on Earth. Aside from dengue fever, they can transmit malaria, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis and Ross River virus.
While there is no vaccination for dengue fever, Australians can take action by avoiding mosquito bites. Health Direct, a government site providing free health advice, recommends:
Wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and covered shoes. Looser clothing items are better, as mozzies can bite through tight clothing
Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET
Check for any sources of still water around your home (pot plant saucers, for example). Mosquitos breed in still water.
Be extra cautious in daylight hours. Mozzies that carry dengue fever are more active while the sun is up.
Use fly screens or air-conditioning to avoid the doors being left open
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