Most of the cases have been reported in Vietnam's 19 southern provinces, where tropical conditions provide an ideal environment for the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

The Disease
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during the day; it may be present in both urban and rural areas. Initially, dengue fever causes flu-like symptoms; high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. A rash often follows. Dengue can last up to 10 days and complete recovery can take two to four weeks.

Occasionally, a potentially fatal complication of dengue occurs called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). An immune reaction destroys the platelets, and, as these cells normally stop bleeding, the patient can bleed to death. DHF usually only occurs in patients having dengue for the second time.

The mosquitoes which spread dengue thrive in both cities and the jungle. Stagnant water caught in old tires, tins and broken flower pots are havens for the mosquito larvae.

International SOS is frequently asked to treat or evacuate members suffering dengue.

Vaccine
No vaccine is available.

Prevent mosquito bites
Mosquitoes transmit many of the diseases most important to travelers, and different mosquitoes bite at different times of the day. For example, the mosquitoes that spread malaria bite at night (from "dusk until dawn"), and the mosquitoes that spread dengue fever bite during the day.

The main steps to preventing mosquito bites are:

Prevent bites while outdoors:

• Wear light-colored clothing that covers most of the body (long sleeves and long pants)
• Use insect repellent that contains DEET (adult preparations should be 30-35%, children 6-10%). Reapply after swimming or excessive sweating

Prevent bites while you are indoors or asleep:

• Check that there is fly-wire on the windows
• Use "knock-down" insect spray to kill mosquitoes in your room
• Use mosquito coils or electric insecticide vaporizers if mosquitoes can get into your room
• Note that air-conditioning also repels mosquitoes
• Consider using a bed net impregnated with pyrethrin

Contact International SOS if you are traveling in a tropical area and develop a high fever, especially if you suffer “rigors” (shaking) or a rash.

Of Thailand's 76 provinces, the 10 that had the highest incidence of dengue fever included Chon Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Phisanulok, Uthai Thani, Sa Kaew, Yala, Songkhla, Rayong, Lopburi and Pattani.

The Disease
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during the day; it may be present in both urban and rural areas. Initially, dengue fever causes flu-like symptoms: high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. A rash often follows. Dengue can last up to 10 days and complete recovery can take two to four weeks.

Occasionally, a potentially fatal complication of dengue occurs called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). An immune reaction destroys the platelets, and, as these cells normally stop bleeding, the patient can bleed to death. DHF usually only occurs in patients having dengue for the second time.

The mosquitoes which spread dengue thrive in both cities and the jungle. Stagnant water caught in old tires, tins and broken flower pots are havens for the mosquito larvae.

International SOS is frequently asked to treat or evacuate members suffering dengue.

Vaccine
No vaccine is available.

Prevent mosquito bites
Mosquitoes transmit many of the diseases most important to travelers, and different mosquitoes bite at different times of the day. For example, the mosquitoes that spread malaria bite at night (from "dusk until dawn"), and the mosquitoes that spread dengue fever bite during the day.

The main steps to preventing mosquito bites are:

Prevent bites while outdoors:

• Wear light-colored clothing that covers most of the body (long sleeves and long pants)
• Use insect repellent that contains DEET (adult preparations should be 30-35%, children 6-10%). Reapply after swimming or excessive sweating

Prevent bites while you are indoors or asleep:

• Check that there is fly-wire on the windows
• Use "knock-down" insect spray to kill mosquitoes in your room
• Use mosquito coils or electric insecticide vaporizers if mosquitoes can get into your room
• Note that air-conditioning also repels mosquitoes
• Consider using a bed net impregnated with pyrethrin

Contact International SOS if you are traveling in a tropical area and develop a high fever, especially if you suffer “rigors” (shaking) or a rash.

Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease of animals and the risk to humans is very low. Travel from one area to another can spread the virus; the virus can be present in livestock, soil, and other objects.

According to FUNASA, the virus causing yellow fever is circulating in the wild and can cause a serious and fatal disease. In the endemic regions of the entire country, 30 percent [of those affected by the virus] are fishermen. The Foundation has distributed additional supplies of vaccine to health clinics in the Northern and Central-Western regions of the country.

SOS recommends that all travelers to Brazil be vaccinated against yellow fever; the vaccine consists of only one injection, is safe and effective, and lasts for 10 years.

SOS recommends that all travelers to Peru, and particularly the Amazon basin of Peru be vaccinated against yellow fever. The vaccine consists of only one injection, is safe and effective, and lasts for 10 years.