Full travel increases tropical diseases in Ireland

The resumption of international travel to pre-pandemic levels has led to a notable increase in imported cases of tropical diseases in Ireland. In 2023, 89 malaria cases were reported, an uplift of 68 percentage points from the previous year. Nigeria was the most commonly cited country of origin for these infections between 2019 and 2023, while malaria and dengue fever were the most commonly reported diseases, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most likely to be infected by malaria, but cases have also been reported in the Indian subcontinent, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the Middle East and Oceania. Twenty cases of dengue were recorded in Ireland in 2023, an increase of 122% over the previous year. This increase was mainly due to travellers returning from the Americas, including popular tourist destinations such as Brazil and Mexico. In addition, 130 locally acquired cases of dengue were reported in European countries, compared with 71 in 2022. Preventive measures such as appropriate clothing and the use of insect repellents, as well as prophylaxis such as the use of specific medicines before departure and for up to four weeks after leaving the destination, are strongly recommended by health authorities to reduce the risk of infection.