Kiwi travellers have been hit with a warning over an infectious, and potentially fatal, disease making its rounds across the globe.
Those heading overseas are being warned amid a sharp rise in dengue fever, or 'bone-break fever' cases, with more than five million people now contracting the condition.
Dengue cases have sky-rocketed in Europe recently, with travellers also importing the virus into Germany.
Meanwhile, Brazil has seen a record outbreak in cases, experiencing its largest and most severe outbreak in history in March 2024. The National Ministry of Health in Brazil reported 1.9 million dengue virus infections since the beginning of the year.
In Samoa, more than 250 cases were reported just last month.
Symptoms of dengue fever include a sudden fever, chills, a severe headache with pain behind the eyes, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, a red rash will develop on the upper body around the third day.
'Like a bus had hit me'
Australian model Emily Gurr became severely ill from dengue fever in 2015 while visiting Bali, after being bitten by a mosquito in Vietnam a week earlier.
At the time, she told news.com.au that she thought she had woken up with a bad hangover, however things quickly went downhill.
"I felt awful, like a bus had hit me. I didn't know what it was but by the night time it was excruciating," she said.
After around 10 days in hospital, Gurr was flown from Bali to Darwin for treatment as her condition worsened.
However, the cost of the emergency evacuation was over NZ$57,000.
Gurr warned those heading to popular holiday spots that dengue fever was something to be cautious about.
"At least one-in-20 cases can become severe, leading to shock, internal bleeding and even death," she warned.
"While there is no specific treatment for dengue fever, patients may require hospitalisation, IV treatment, and in some cases, a blood transfusion.
"If you're holidaying in a tropical region and experience a high fever, severe headache and/or nausea you should seek medical help immediately."
