Dengue: Advice for travellers

Original publication date: September 8, 2022

Updated: March 18, 2025

Current situation

Many travel destinations are reporting increasing numbers of dengue cases. Dengue is a risk in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Depending on your destination, the risk of dengue can change seasonally (i.e. higher in rainy seasons), and vary from year to year.

 The level of risk can also vary between regions within a country and can depend on the elevation in the region. Pay close attention to the dengue situation in your destination before and during travel, including at the local level.

About Dengue

Dengue is a disease spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people infected with dengue may not show symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually begin 4 to 7 days after the mosquito bite and typically last 2 to 7 days.

 Infection with dengue can cause flu-like symptoms, including:

• sudden high-grade fever
• severe headache
• pain behind the eyes
• muscle and joint pain
• rash
• nausea and vomiting

Most people with dengue recover after a few days. In a small number of cases, it may lead to severe dengue or dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal. If you have had a previous dengue infection, you may be at higher risk of severe dengue.

Symptoms of a more serious dengue infection include:

• persistent vomiting
• blood in vomit or stool
• severe abdominal pain
• feeling tired or restless
• difficulty breathing
• bruising and mild bleeding (such as from the mouth or nose)

There is no vaccine or medication available in Canada to prevent dengue.

There is no specific treatment for dengue. Medical care aims to control the symptoms and help with recovery.

Learn more:

Dengue fever: Symptoms

Recommendations

Before your trip

Talk to a healthcare provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your trip to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still worthwhile to make an appointment.

Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

During your trip

Prevent mosquito bites at all times. The mosquitoes that spread dengue bite during the day and night. They are generally not found at altitudes above 2,000 metres. 

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed

Learn more:

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

After your trip

If you develop dengue symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Tell them where you’ve been travelling. 
Fever and other symptoms of dengue can be similar to many other infections, and you can’t always tell them apart without lab tests. One of these infections is malaria, so it's important to let your healthcare provider know if you’ve travelled to an area where malaria is common.

Learn more:

If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
Malaria transmission and recommended preventive measures by geographical area

Information for healthcare professionals

The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) has developed statements on dengue, and on measures to prevent arthropod bites.

Statement on dengue 
Statement on personal protective measures to prevent arthropod bites 

Learn more:

Dengue: Information for Health Professionals