Mar 21, 2026
3 min read
Three cases in a few days, all linked to foreign travel: symptoms, transmission and prevention of a virus widespread in tropical countries
Dengue in Friuli Venezia Giulia: What it is and what you need to know about "bone-breaking fever".
Three cases in a few days, all linked to foreign travel: symptoms, transmission and prevention of the spread of a virus in tropical countries
They call it “bone-breaking fever” because it makes the human body weak, broken and broken.This is dengue fever, and we are back to discuss the symptoms of the three cases identified within three days in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Beyond the news story, explained by Asogi experts about people returning from trips abroad, from places where the virus is considered endemic and therefore "irrelevant," it is important to try to clarify what dengue is and how it is acquired.To dispel doubt and fake news about the three cases found in the region.Especially now that the holiday period is approaching and we are also preparing for overseas tours.
Cosa succede in Fvg
We need to focus first on what is happening in this areaThe Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority (ASUGI) reported in a note on the reports received on Wednesday and Friday.This diagnosis led to health surveillance protocols
"According to the Regional Plan of 2025-2026, measures have been taken to ensure that everything is done within the framework of monitoring, prevention and control of dengue fever in humans," Asugi claims.In other words: there is no disinfection, given that the number of insects carrying the virus has been reduced to a minimum in recent months.As a result, the possibility of the disease spreading locally is also very low.
What is dengue fever, how does it spread and where does it spread?
Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) belonging to the family "Flaviviridae".To date, four subgroups of dengue fever known as serotypes are known and are very similar to each other: DENV-1;DENV-2;DENV-3 and DENV-4.
The female mosquito responsible for spreading the virus is Aedes aegypti.If an infected person is bitten by a mosquito, the mosquito itself can transmit the virus to other people.The more viruses a mosquito carries, the more likely it is to spread the infection.
Dengue is more common in countries with warm climates.We are mainly talking about Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Americas, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.Countries such as Brazil, India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand have also reported high numbers of dengue cases in recent years.
What are the symptoms?
In the case of dengue, the main symptom is fever that appears on average in 5-6 days after a mosquito bite.If the patient is infected for the first time, the disease usually appears in mild form.In most cases, this disease will disappear completely within two weeks.Fever is often accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Pain
Joint and muscle pain
- Pain around and behind the eyes
- Skin rash
However, infection caused by one of the subgroups of the Dengue virus does not confer immunity to the others, which is why people can contract Dengue several times, with the risk of serious complications increasing from time to time.In fact, if the same person is infected a second time, the symptoms may be more severe.the whole body, which leads to the development of a more serious disease.In the most severe cases, Dengue is characterized by:
Abdominal pain
- Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
– bleeding from the nose or teeth
- Blood in the stool or vomit
- Fatigue and irritability
- Hemorrhagic manifestations and fluid loss that can lead to actual, life-threatening collapse.
About 1 in 4 people develop dengue symptoms after infection, and 1 in 20 people develop severe illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Infants, older adults, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed patients are at increased risk of severe symptoms.Likewise, approximately 20,000 people worldwide die from dengue fever each year, according to the CDC.
What the new guidelines say
The new WHO recommendations, aimed primarily at healthcare workers, provide detailed guidance for the management of mild and severe cases.For non-severe cases we recommend:
- Administration of oral fluids
- Use of paracetamol or metamizole for fever and pain
- It is not recommended to use NSAIDs in severe cases together with systemic corticosteroids
In severe cases, WHO recommends:
- Avoid prophylactic platelet transfusions in the absence of bleeding
- Do not use immunoglobulin.
- Experimental use (in research only) of monoclonal antibodies TI014 and drug sofosbuvir is expected for yellow fever
In addition to treatment, the guidelines identify important knowledge gaps and identify research priorities to improve preparedness for future epidemics, which are increasingly prevalent in the context of climate change and globalization.
WHO's call is clear: strengthen health systems and training operators, even in countries that have so far been considered low-risk, to counter the growing health threat.
Prevention according to Asuga
"Prevention is primarily based on avoiding mosquito bites," Asugi explains.Basic precautions include the use of skin repellents, wearing repellent clothing, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and using mosquito nets.
At the community level, it is important to act to combat the spread of mosquito vectors.how?Remove standing water from saucers and other containers.The accumulation is an optimal habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.Another important preventive measure is the pest control campaign, which aims to reduce the mosquito population and consequently the risk of infection.It doesn't end here.Vaccinations are available for travelers to dengue endemic areas.
