Dengue fever: Scientists fear UK outbreak after British woman infected with virus following trip to France

Scientists have warned a dengue fever outbreak could be possible in the UK as mosquitoes that carry the virus are moving into Europe due to climate change. The warning comes after doctors treated a British woman who caught the virus in France but visited A&E when she returned home.

The 44-year-old woman was infected with dengue after visiting her family in Nice. She experienced fever, headache, muscle pain and a rash for three days when she returned home but did not require further medical treatment.

An urgent sample was sent to the Rare Imported Pathogens Laboratory, which confirmed she had an acute dengue virus infection. Dr Owain Donnelly, from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, said: "This individual was part of an outbreak of over 30 locally transmitted cases in the south of France in 2022, which highlights the rapidly changing epidemiology of dengue."

“With climate change, particularly hotter temperatures and more rainfall, and increasing global trade and tourism, we may see more parts of Europe with the right combination of factors for dengue outbreaks.

“Surveillance and reporting mechanisms are important in ensuring we have an accurate understanding of dengue spread.”

The woman, 44, had returned the day before symptoms started and had not travelled to any other countries. Relatives she stayed with in France also experienced similar symptoms.