Dengue on the rise: What every traveller needs to know before heading to Asia
By Sarah Falson Question: Mosquito-borne illness is on the rise. What's the best way to avoid it?
With Australia's warm weather and outdoor lifestyle, we are used to the odd mosquito bite, but when we go overseas, bites could be more serious. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
All articles from our website
The digital version of Today's Paper
All other in your area
Mosquito bites are one of the fastest-growing threats to global travellers. Dengue fever is on the rise across south-east Asia and around the world, transmitted to people by mosquitoes infected with dengue virus. The virus and the types of mosquitoes that spread it are found in tropical and sub-tropical countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam.
Here's what you need to know before you pack the bug spray.
According to NSW Health, travellers should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. If contracted, dengue can involve severe flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, as well as fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes a faint red rash. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) says people with dengue are often asymptomatic. There is also no specific treatment and people with dengue are often given pain medication, WHO says.
According to WHO, dengue is the most widespread and rapidly increasing vector-borne disease in the world. From 2015 to 2019, south-east Asia cases increased by 46 per cent. So far this year there have been 41,582 cases in the region, 4258 severe cases and 64 deaths.
Travellers can bring dengue home - without knowing it
Western Sydney University senior lecturer in microbiology, Dr Thomas Jeffries, says travellers can also bring dengue back with them. "They can't spread it like you spread the flu or COVID by coughing or breath. But they can have it in their bloodstream and get bitten by a mosquito [who then bites other people and spreads it]," Jeffries says.
How to protect yourself from bites
The Smartraveller website says travellers should take precautions, including wearing insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), sleeping under a portable mosquito net and spraying your clothes and mosquito nets with insecticide containing permethrin.
Be extra cautious during early mornings and late afternoons when mosquitoes are most active, and avoid areas near stagnant water, Smartraveller says. It also recommends wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and closed shoes, and keeping doors and windows closed if they don't have insect screens.
Climate change is fuelling the mosquito surge
Monash University of Malaysia associate professor in molecular virology, Vinod Balasubramaniam, said there is a direct correlation between the rise of dengue and climate change.
"Because of the elevated temperatures, we are getting increased humidity. We have altered rainfall patterns. Recently, we have [had] heavier rains, but irregular monsoons. Now this enhances mosquito breeding," Balasubramaniam said from Malaysia.
Vitamin B and garlic won't help - but this might
Monash University World Mosquito Program senior director of field entomology, Greg Devine, says there is "not much evidence" to support some old wives' tales about who gets bitten.
"There's really nothing to suggest that taking vitamin B supplements or rubbing yourself in papaya leaves or having a particular blood type, eating lots of garlic - unfortunately, there is no easy solution to making yourself less attractive [to mosquitoes]," Devine says.
But they do like "sweaty people", and unfortunately for the beer drinkers, this can make us more sweaty, Devine says.
He also says pregnant women and children who "tend to run a little bit hotter than everybody else" can be quite attractive to mosquitoes.
Use repellent with DEET, picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Sleep under a mosquito net and wear light, loose clothing.
Avoid areas near stagnant water.
Be cautious at dawn and dusk.
Don't count on garlic or vitamin B - they don't work.
Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Dengue on the rise: What every traveller needs to know before heading to Asia
Picture: Getty Images By Sarah Falson Question: Mosquito-borne illness is on the rise. What's the best way to avoid it? With Australia's warm weather and outdoor lifestyle, we are used to the odd mosquito bite, but when we go overseas, bites could be more serious. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Mosquito bites are one of the fastest-growing threats to global travellers. Dengue fever is on the rise across south-east Asia and around the world, transmitted to people by mosquitoes infected with dengue virus. The virus and the types of mosquitoes that spread it are found in tropical and sub-tropical countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam. Here's what you need to know before you pack the bug spray. According to NSW Health, travellers should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. If contracted, dengue can involve severe flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, as well as fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes a faint red rash. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) says people with dengue are often asymptomatic. There is also no specific treatment and people with dengue are often given pain medication, WHO says. According to WHO, dengue is the most widespread and rapidly increasing vector-borne disease in the world. From 2015 to 2019, south-east Asia cases increased by 46 per cent. So far this year there have been 41,582 cases in the region, 4258 severe cases and 64 deaths. Travellers can bring dengue home - without knowing it Western Sydney University senior lecturer in microbiology, Dr Thomas Jeffries, says travellers can also bring dengue back with them. "They can't spread it like you spread the flu or COVID by coughing or breath. But they can have it in their bloodstream and get bitten by a mosquito [who then bites other people and spreads it]," Jeffries says. How to protect yourself from bites The Smartraveller website says travellers should take precautions, including wearing insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), sleeping under a portable mosquito net and spraying your clothes and mosquito nets with insecticide containing permethrin. Be extra cautious during early mornings and late afternoons when mosquitoes are most active, and avoid areas near stagnant water, Smartraveller says. It also recommends wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and closed shoes, and keeping doors and windows closed if they don't have insect screens. Climate change is fuelling the mosquito surge Monash University of Malaysia associate professor in molecular virology, Vinod Balasubramaniam, said there is a direct correlation between the rise of dengue and climate change. "Because of the elevated temperatures, we are getting increased humidity. We have altered rainfall patterns. Recently, we have [had] heavier rains, but irregular monsoons. Now this enhances mosquito breeding," Balasubramaniam said from Malaysia. Vitamin B and garlic won't help - but this might Monash University World Mosquito Program senior director of field entomology, Greg Devine, says there is "not much evidence" to support some old wives' tales about who gets bitten. "There's really nothing to suggest that taking vitamin B supplements or rubbing yourself in papaya leaves or having a particular blood type, eating lots of garlic - unfortunately, there is no easy solution to making yourself less attractive [to mosquitoes]," Devine says. But they do like "sweaty people", and unfortunately for the beer drinkers, this can make us more sweaty, Devine says. He also says pregnant women and children who "tend to run a little bit hotter than everybody else" can be quite attractive to mosquitoes. Use repellent with DEET, picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Sleep under a mosquito net and wear light, loose clothing. Avoid areas near stagnant water. Be cautious at dawn and dusk. Don't count on garlic or vitamin B - they don't work. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
I have a bit of a cold. Am I sick enough to take a day off work?
Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual. June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus. Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover. But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work? Here's what to consider. If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers. The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe. From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well. So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell. The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave. Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health. A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves. Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell. Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed. While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave. Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick. Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick. So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick. "Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity. While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year. People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism. READ MORE: But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem. Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities. Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same. Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse. Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility. But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace. Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual. June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus. Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover. But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work? Here's what to consider. If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers. The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe. From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well. So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell. The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave. Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health. A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves. Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell. Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed. While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave. Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick. Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick. So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick. "Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity. While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year. People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism. READ MORE: But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem. Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities. Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same. Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse. Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility. But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace. Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual. June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus. Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover. But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work? Here's what to consider. If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers. The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe. From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well. So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell. The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave. Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health. A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves. Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell. Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed. While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave. Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick. Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick. So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick. "Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity. While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year. People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism. READ MORE: But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem. Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities. Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same. Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse. Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility. But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace. Whether it's your first or fourth cold of the season, many Australians are waking up at the moment with a sniffle, a sore throat or feeling more tired than usual. June to August is peak flu season in Australia. There are also high rates of COVID circulating, along with other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus. Sometimes it's clear when you need to spend the day in bed: you have a fever, aches and pains, and can't think clearly. If it's the flu or COVID, you'll want to stay away from others, and to rest and recover. But what about if your symptoms are mild? Are you sick enough to take the day off, or should you push through it? And what if you feel pressured to work? Here's what to consider. If you are in a client-facing role, such as a teacher or a salesperson, you may also infect others like students or customers. The risks may be even greater for those working with vulnerable communities, such as in aged care work, where the consequences can be severe. From an organisational perspective, you are likely less productive when you are not feeling well. So, whenever possible, avoid going into work when you're feeling unwell. The COVID pandemic normalised working from home. Since then, more people work from home when they're unwell, rather than taking sick leave. Some employees join Zoom or Teams meetings out of guilt, not wanting to let their co-workers down. Others - and in particular, some men - feel the need to maintain their performance at work, even if it's at the expense of their health. A downside of powering through is that workers may prolong their illness by not looking after themselves. Employees in Australia can take either paid or unpaid time off when they are unwell. Most full-time employees get ten days of paid sick leave per year, while part-time employees get the equivalent pro-rata. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence from employees to show they are unwell, such as asking for a medical certificate from a pharmacy or GP, or a statutory declaration. The type of evidence required may differ from organisation to organisation, with some awards and enterprise agreements specifying the type of evidence needed. While taking a sick day helps many workers recuperate, a significant proportion of workers engaged in non-standard work arrangements do not receive these benefits. There are, for example, 2.6 million casual employees who don't have access to paid sick leave. Similarly, most self-employed people such as tradies and gig workers do not have any paid leave entitlements. Although these workers can still take unpaid leave, they are sacrificing income when they call in sick. Research from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has found more than half of insecure workers don't take time off when injured or sick. So a significant proportion of workers in Australia simply cannot afford to call in sick. "Presenteeism" is the phenomenon of people reporting for work even when they are unwell or not fully functioning, affecting their health and productivity. While exact figures are hard to determine, since most organisations don't systematically track it, estimates suggest 30 per cent to 90 per cent of employees work while sick at least once a year. People work while sick for different reasons. Some choose to because they love their job or enjoy the social side of work - this is called voluntary presenteeism. READ MORE: But many don't have a real choice, facing financial pressure or job insecurity. That's involuntary presenteeism, and it's a much bigger problem. Research has found industry norms may be shaping the prevalence of "involuntary presenteeism", with workers in the health and education sectors more likely to feel obligated to work when sick due to "at work" caring responsibilities. Leaders set the tone, especially around health and wellbeing. When they role-model healthy behaviour and support time off, it gives others permission to do the same. Supportive leaders can help reduce presenteeism, while pressure from demanding leaders can make it worse. Your co-workers matter too. When teams step up and share the load, it creates a culture where people feel safe to take leave. A supportive environment makes wellbeing a shared responsibility. But for some workers, leave isn't an option. Fixing this requires policy change across industries and society more broadly, not just inside the workplace.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Major new travel warning issued for Aussies amid Thailand-Cambodia conflict
Australian travellers have been warned to exercise a 'high degree of caution' in Thailand 'due to security and safety risks' amid an escalating border conflict with Cambodia that has left at least 33 people dead. 'Due to the ongoing armed conflict … we now advise do not travel to areas within 50 kilometres of the Thailand-Cambodia land border throughout the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi and mainland Trat provinces,' the Australian government said in its latest Smartraveller advice. 'Armed conflict between Thai and Cambodian forces along the Thailand-Cambodia border has increased. This includes military strikes, violence and landmines. 'There are reports of casualties. Martial law has been declared in some districts in these provinces. 'There's an ongoing risk of terrorism in Thailand. Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks anywhere across Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket.' Tensions flared over long-contested ancient temple sites before fighting spread along the countries' rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Clashes, now in their third day, broke out Saturday in the countries' coastal regions where they meet on The Gulf of Thailand. 'Border crossing points along the Thailand-Cambodia border continue to be closed,' the Smartraveller warning read. US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at least 33 people dead. 'Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand,' Mr Trump, who is on a visit to Scotland, said in a post on his Truth Social network. 'I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation,' he said soon after in a new post. 'Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. 'I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!' 'I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.' Mr Trump also indicated he would not move forward on trade deals with either nation until fighting has stopped.
