As the allure of Bali's tropical paradise beckons, Australian travellers are being urged to exercise caution following a significant increase in dengue fever cases on the island.

The health alert comes as Western Australia records its first case of Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) for the year, highlighting the risks posed by mosquito-borne diseases.

An adult who encountered infected mosquitoes in the Pilbara region of Western Australia was reported to have encephalitis, likely caused by the Murray Valley strain, according to WA Health.

The patient is currently under medical care, and the situation prompted a call to action from health authorities.

WA Health released an alert to Bali travellers regarding the heightened risk of dengue fever in the area. Credits: Shutterstock

Dr Andrew Jardine, a managing scientist, emphasised the importance of vigilance against mosquito bites throughout northern WA, particularly given the potentially fatal nature of Murray Valley encephalitis.

‘MVE can be deadly, and we are currently seeing ongoing activity across the Pilbara and Kimberley regions,’ he stated.

‘As a community, keep one another informed. Chat with anyone living at your home, or your next-door neighbours, to ensure they know what can be done to protect against mozzies.’

‘Avoiding bites will also protect against other infections carried by mosquitoes,’ Dr Jardine added.

In a separate but equally important warning, WA Health alerted travellers to Bali about the heightened risk of dengue fever.

With Western Australia recording 138 cases of dengue fever this year—a figure double that of the previous year at the same time—the concern is palpable.

The majority of these cases were traced back to Indonesia, which itself reported over 60,000 cases of dengue fever this year.

Dengue fever is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, and while many people may experience mild or no symptoms upon infection, those who are infected a second time face a higher risk of severe and potentially fatal disease.

Dr Jelena Maticevic, Acting Director of Communicable Disease Control, stressed that the best defence against dengue fever is to prevent mosquito bites while visiting Bali or other high-risk areas.

‘Dengue fever is spread through mosquitoes which tend to bite during the day and are usually found around buildings in urban or semi-urban areas,’ she explained.

‘Symptoms of dengue fever may include fever, rash, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain, with more severe disease presenting with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bleeding from the gums or nose.’

‘There is no specific treatment for this illness, however, the risk of contracting dengue fever can be significantly reduced by protecting against mosquitoes when travelling overseas’ Dr Maticevic continued.

Travellers can protect themselves from mosquito bites while travelling abroad by staying away from areas with high mosquito activity and wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing.

Additionally, applying insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), also known as para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), can also help prevent mosquito bites.

WA Health also advised travellers to sleep under a bed net, preferably treated with insecticide, and to keep all doors and windows closed if they lack insect screens.

Furthermore, travellers were also encouraged to ask for their hotel rooms to be sprayed for mosquitoes if necessary.

Anyone feeling unwell upon returning to Australia should seek medical attention promptly.

As travellers remain vigilant about health warnings, another concerning alert has emerged closer to home.

State authorities also issued another health warning after a deadly virus was discovered in chickens and mosquitoes, underscoring the importance of taking precautions against mosquito-borne diseases.

This recent development adds to the growing concerns about health risks, particularly in regions where mosquito-borne illnesses are prevalent.

Key Takeaways

• Western Australia saw its first case of Murray Valley encephalitis for the year, likely contracted from infected mosquitoes.
• Travellers to Bali were warned of a significant rise in dengue fever cases, with suggestions on how to prevent mosquito bites.
• WA Health recorded double the number of dengue fever cases this year compared to the same period last year, with most cases acquired in Indonesia.
• There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, so the best defence for travellers is protection against mosquito bites through clothing, repellents, bed nets, and mosquito-proof accommodations.

Have you ever encountered health issues abroad? How did you deal with them? Share your own tips and experiences with staying healthy while travelling in the comments below.

 

[Scoobydoo72]

You were very vaig about the chicken and mosquitoe wording. Where and when was the chicken episode? And what did it entail, you used it as a throw away line. More info please.

 

[zero 2]

I lived in Indonesia for 8 years and spent down time in indonesia islands and Bali..denghy fever was common in Bali hospital...I always lit coils just before sunset..it helps but it's a disease that's easily spread..it's not really avoidable in some places and Bali is basically pretty dirty smelly island and millions of mozzie...I use to do business in Jogyakarta so flew in and out of different spots in Indonesia a lot. Indonesia is not a place you want to get sick in it's hospitals spread more diseases than the mosquitoes can to be honest. So avoid the hospitals at all cost's.. just get home as quickly as possible or at least out of south east Asia..even the upper class private hospitals and clinics an be a problem and very expensive too..hopecthis helps someone thinking of going there when there's outbreaks...