Latest news with #mosquitobites


Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Love Island star shares horrific near-death experience that left him in 'hell' while on holiday in Bali
Mitchell Eliot has opened up about contracting dengue fever while in Bali, revealing it's the 'closest to death' he's ever felt before. The Love Island star, who appeared on the fourth season of the reality TV series in 2018, took to TikTok on Monday to shed light on the terrifying experience while also warning fans to take the right precautions. 'The last three days have been hell,' the 28-year-old began while lying in bed shirtless. 'I had to get an ambulance in Bali to a hospital. I just had the worst fever, the worst body pains,' he told his fans. 'They reckon it was dengue fever, which is pretty much like malaria, and you get it from mosquito bites.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He revealed that it took five nights before he started showing any symptoms after he was 'annihilated' by mosquitoes one night and woke up with around thirty bites. However, the influencer then went on to make a startling claim about the illness, revealing that he will battle with the repercussions for life. 'Apparently after you get it, you're sick for the rest of your life. Like you just randomly get sick and it's always in you,' he said. Mitchell then warned others who may be visiting Bali to use mosquito repellent and mosquito nets during their stay, as it wasn't worth the risk. Dengue fever is a viral illness contracted from mosquito bites, primarily in tropical and subtropical locations. While most people recover from the illness within seven days, severe cases can lead to Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, a serious and potentially fatal condition. In April, Mitchell broke his silence following his split from Phoebe Spiller – revealing he was embracing a new chapter of self-discovery and sexual fluidity. The reality star, who found love with Phoebe on season four, didn't hold back when it came to speaking about his sexuality and personal growth during a revealing chat on the Sensory Overload podcast. The reality star didn't hold back when it came to speaking about his sexuality and personal growth during a revealing chat on the Sensory Overload podcast Opening up for the first time since the couple's shock split in July 2024, Mitch said he's finally giving himself permission to explore 'how I am' without pressure or labels. 'Sexuality is so beautiful, and I think people just need to loosen the f**k up,' he told podcast host Billy Barker. 'If you have these little thoughts, just explore different options. Even if that person is not your normal type, you could open a whole new world.' The former tradie-turned-influencer said the experience has been both confronting and freeing, noting that he's no longer afraid to be curious or question his identity. 'After my break-up, this is when I decided I'm going to be more open,' he shared. 'I've known deep down I wanted to be a bit more fluid, a bit more this and that… but I've never really acted on it much. This is just all about me figuring it out.' He added bluntly: 'Who gives a f**k who you f**k?' The Gold Coast native made it clear he doesn't feel the need to slap a label on his sexuality – despite the constant curiosity from fans. 'I get DMs from people now and people will be like, 'What's your sexuality?' he said. 'I'm like – it's none of your business first of all. And second of all, I don't believe we have to have a name for it. One day you can feel so straight, one day you can feel so queer.'

RNZ News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Dengue scare hits Pacific Mini Games; athlete receives medical care, health alert issued
Palau's Health Ministry is asking everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Photo: Facebook / Office of the President, Republic of Palau Palau's Ministry of Health (MOH) has warned athletes and officials at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to be cautious after a dengue fever case was reported on Friday, with an athlete admitted to the national hospital. The Mini Games Organising Committee said all safeguarding protocols for the athlete, teams, visitors and people of Palau have been activated. The Health Ministry is asking everyone to protect themselves as much as possible from mosquito bites. "One case of dengue fever has been detected amongst the athletes," the MOH statement said. "The case was detected through our enhanced health surveillance system, which is conducted daily to ensure early detection and rapid response to potential outbreaks. "The affected person is currently under medical care." But despite the setback, the competition continued in the different sports Saturday. Tahiti continues to lead the medal standings, with Samoa getting closer in second, following some impressive golden performances. Sunday was initially marked as a rest day but baseball teams will be competing, as organisers work on catching up with the schedule, following two days of competition being washed out on Monday and Tuesday. The features of day six were the 100-metre finals in both the men's and women's categories. Australia won the women's 100m final, with Kayedel Smith claiming first place ahead of Papua New Guinea's Isila Apkup and Fiji's Sera Nasilivata. Smith stopped the stop watch at the 12.16 seconds mark, with Apkup winning silver in a time of 12.17s, while Nasilivata took the bronze home, completing the race in 12.20s. The men's final saw Papua New Guinea's Pasil Wasil storming home to take the gold in a time of 10.51 seconds, ahead of teammate Tovetuna Tuna, who finished 0.02 seconds later than Wasil to claim silver. Fijian Waisake Tewa took the bronze medal. New Zealand-Tongan David Liti took three gold medals in the men's 110-kilogram weightlifting, with a total lift of 335kg. Fijian Reki Roberts proved to be the best heptathlon athlete, amassing a total of 4,250 points to win the gold. Raylyne Kanam of PNG won silver with 3,816 points while Tonga's Manatu Hafoka finished with the bronze. Her teammate Waisele Inoke claimed the top prize in the men's octathlon, totalling 5,336 points. Competition will take a break on Sunday, resuming on Monday with judo getting into action. At the end of day six (Saturday), Tahiti had totalled 53 gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze medals. Samoa has 27 gold medals to its name in second place on the medal tally, while Fiji is third ahead of Australia, with more silver medals won, atlhough both nations have 18 gold medals each. Fiji have 24 silver compared to Australia's eight silver so far. Papua New Guinea, who topped the medal tally at the 2022 Mini Games in Saipan, are currently sitting in fifth position with 11 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze. Weightlifting competition has ended, along with table tennis, va'a, archery, swimming and wrestling. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 9 June. 2025 Pacific Mini Games medal tally at the end of day six of competitions on 5 July 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific


CBS News
02-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Cuts, scrapes and bug bites are common for kids. A Maryland dermatologist shares tips for treating them.
During the summer, it's common for kids to come home with small cuts and scrapes or pesky bug bites. Maryland dermatologist Dr. Kate Viola recommends that families keep some products handy to treat small injuries. Preventing bug bites Dr. Viola, a board-certified dermatologist with Dermatology Partners in Sparks, Maryland, said prevention is key when it comes to mosquito bites and bee stings. "The American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends the use of DEET in [children] two months old and above," said Dr. Viola. DEET can be found in bug repellent products like OFF. Dr. Viola said it's safe to use on kids' sensitive skin. Treating bug bites According to Dr. Viola, it's important to immediately identify the bug bite before treating it. There are two simple ways to get relief. Dr. Viola recommends a cold compress to help relieve the itching and pain. Another tip is to use skin care products that are cold. She recommends putting moisturizers and anti-itch lotions like CeraVe in the refrigerator. "It will make a huge difference over time, and it will cool down the area, so that's very important," Dr. Viola said. When to see a doctor If your child is having trouble breathing or swallowing after a bug bite or sting, and it begins to look like an anaphylactic episode, Dr. Viola urges parents to call 911 immediately. "If the bug bite just does not go away, and it's very painful for the child even after giving – you can give a children's acetaminophen, Motrin, ibuprofen – If that does not help, seek the advice of your pediatrician or a dermatologist for sure," Dr. Viola said. Treating cuts and scrapes Dr. Viola suggests choosing Vaseline over Neosporin when treating common cuts and scrapes. "The problem with Neosporin and products like Bacitracin is that for many people – including adults and children – there are ingredients that patients can also be allergic to, children can be allergic to," Dr. Viola said. To treat cuts and scrapes, she recommends products like Vaseline because it acts as a barrier to protect the skin, and it's inexpensive. She also recommends Aquaphor and CeraVe Healing Ointment. "All of these are just great for cuts and scrapes, so just put that on," Dr. Viola said. "That's so much better for the skin, and you won't get an allergic reaction."

ABC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Pacific dengue cases surge, but don't cancel your holiday yet - health expert
A public health expert is urging anyone travelling to places with a current dengue fever outbreak to be vigilant and take sensible precautions — but stresses the chances of contracting the disease are low. On Friday the Cook Islands declared an outbreak of the viral infection, which is spread by mosquitoes, in Rarotonga. Outbreaks have also been declared in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. Across the Tasman, there has been a cluster of cases in Townsville and Cairns in Queensland. Last month a 12-year-old boy died in Auckland after being medically evacuated from Samoa, with severe dengue fever. Marc Shaw, a medical director at Worldwise Travellers Health Care and a professor in public health and tropical diseases at James Cook University in Townsville, said people travelling to places with dengue fever outbreaks should take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites but it was important to be pragmatic. "Yes, people are getting dengue fever, but considering the number of people that are travelling to these regions, we have to be pragmatic and think about our own circumstances," Dr Shaw said. "[Just] because you're travelling to the region, it does not mean that you're going to get the disease. "We should just maintain vigilance and look to protect ourselves in the best ways we can, and having a holiday in these regions should not be avoided." What should I do to prevent dengue? Dr Shaw said light-coloured clothes were best as mosquitoes were attracted to dark colours. "They also tend to be more attracted to perfumes and scents. "Two hours on either side of dusk and dawn is the time most mosquito bites occur. Mosquitoes also tend to be attracted a lot more to ankles and wrists." But the best form of protection was a high-strength mosquito repellent containing the active ingredient Diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET, he said. "The dengue fever mosquito is quite a vicious mosquito and tends to be around at this particular time of the year. It's good to apply a repellent of around about 40 per cent [strength] and that will give about eight to 10 hours of protection." Dengue fever was "probably the worst fever anyone could get," he added. "Unfortunately, it tends to cause a temperature, sweats, fevers, rashes, and it has a condition which is called breakbone fever, where you get the most painful and incredibly painful joints around the elbows. In its most sinister form, it can cause bleeding." Most people recovered from dengue fever, but those who caught the disease again were much more vulnerable to it, he added. "Under those circumstances, it is worthwhile discussing with a travel health physician as it is perhaps appropriate that they have a dengue fever vaccine, which is just out." Dr Shaw said the virus would start to wane in the affected regions from now on as the Pacific region and Queensland head into the drier winter months. RNZ

RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific dengue cases surge, but don't cancel your holiday yet
Photo: lamyai/123RF A public health expert is urging anyone travelling to places with a current dengue fever outbreak to be vigilant and take sensible precautions - but stresses the chances of contracting the disease are low. On Friday the Cook Islands declared an outbreak of the viral infection, which is spread by mosquitoes, in Rarotonga. Outbreaks have also been declared in Samoa , Fiji and Tonga. Across the Tasman, this year has seen a cluster of cases in Townsville and Cairns in Queensland. Last month a 12-year-old boy died in Auckland after being medically evacuated from Samoa, with severe dengue fever. Dr Marc Shaw, a medical director at Worldwise Travellers Health Care and a professor in public health and tropical diseases at James Cook University in Townsville, said New Zealanders travelling to places with dengue fever outbreaks should take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites but it was important to be pragmatic. "Yes, people are getting dengue fever, but considering the number of people that are travelling to these regions, we have to be pragmatic and think about our own circumstances. "[Just] because you're travelling to the region, it does not mean that you're going to get the disease. "We should just maintain vigilance and look to protect ourselves in the best ways we can, and having a holiday in these regions should not be avoided." Shaw said light-coloured clothes were best as mosquitoes were attracted to dark colours. "They also tend to be more attracted to perfumes and scents. "Two hours on either side of dusk and dawn is the time most mosquito bites occur. Mosquitoes also tend to be attracted a lot more to ankles and wrists." But the best form of protection was a high-strength mosquito repellent containing the active ingredient Diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET, he said. "The dengue fever mosquito is quite a vicious mosquito and tends to be around at this particular time of the year. It's good to apply a repellent of around about 40 percent [strength] and that will give about eight to 10 hours of protection." Dengue fever was "probably the worst fever anyone could get", he added. "Unfortunately, it tends to cause a temperature, sweats, fevers, rashes, and it has a condition which is called breakbone fever, where you get the most painful and credibly painful joints around the elbows. In its most sinister form, it can cause bleeding." Most people recovered from dengue fever, but those who caught the disease again were much more vulnerable to it, he added. "Under those circumstances, it is worthwhile discussing with a travel health physician as it is perhaps appropriate that they have a dengue fever vaccine, which is just out." Shaw said the virus would start to wane in the affected regions from now on as the Pacific region and Queensland head into the drier winter months. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.