Dengue alert: Madeira's tourists urged to stay vigilant
The Portuguese Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of dengue in Madeira, raising concerns among residents and tourists who frequently visit the island. Authorities are urging preventive measures to avoid a repeat of the 2012-2013 outbreak.
The Portuguese health services have confirmed the presence of the dengue virus on Madeira, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Now, the island, popular among tourists including Poles, faces the challenge of controlling the spread of the disease.
Dengue as a threat to tourists
The opposition Socialist Party authorities have called for urgent action to avoid a situation like the one in 2012-2013, when over a thousand archipelago residents were infected with dengue. The Portuguese medical services assure that the situation is under control but call for vigilance.
Dengue, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, manifests with fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and rashes. Although deaths are rare, they can occur due to haemorrhages accompanying the disease.
Record number of tourists in Madeira
The statement from the Portuguese health services was issued shortly after the publication of statistics for 2024, which indicate that over 2.2 million tourists visited Madeira last year. Poles account for over 6% of all visitors, making them one of the most numerous national groups on the island.
The authorities of Madeira emphasise that despite the threat, the situation is being monitored, and preventive measures are underway. Tourists are encouraged to remain cautious and use protection against mosquitoes.
