Dengue Fever in dogs is transmitted from mosquitoes (several species of the genus, Aedes). In many countries worldwide, it is considered an important public health problem. The most common infection dogs get from mosquitoes is heartworm disease. But recently was discovered an evidence of dengue infection in domestic dogs living in Thailand. There is no enough evidence about the role of domestic dogs in dengue transmission and it needs to be further investigated. Domestic dogs can be infected with dengue virus strains circulating in dengue endemic areas. Only a few studies have been done on domestic animals and most of the studies have focused on detection of dengue virus (DENV) in humans and mosquitoes.
What are the symptoms of dengue?
Usually the symptoms appear a few days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and last for two to seven days. Dengue symptoms seems very mild and it can be mistaken to flu or other viral infections. If not treated well, many serious problem including death will occur.
- high fever;
- severe headache;
- severe pain behind the eyes;
- joint pain;
- muscle and bone pain;
- nausea and vomiting; and
- rash.
Is there a vaccine for dengue?
Although there is a vaccine developed, according to the manufacturer, if a person who has never had dengue is vaccinated and then contracts the virus, they have a higher chance of developing severe dengue.
General dengue information
- Only the female mosquito of a specific species carries the disease.
- Humans and non-human primates are susceptible to the disease
- Dogs cannot contract Dengue Fever it does not affect their blood system like it does a human.
- Dengue Fever itself is not deadly and can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
- The complication a Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics and IV Fluid.
- If you have flue like symptoms visit your doctor.
How to protect your pets and your family?
- Check for standing water around your home that mosquitoes can lay eggs in.
- Wear long sleeves and pants after a rain storm when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
- Wear bug repellent and reapply according to directions if you are going outside.
- Keep up to date your pet with their flea and tick medication.
- Always have a secure screen in place on your windows.
- Try to limit outdoor exposure between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- If anyone in your household is immune compromised please call your doctor to see what steps you can take to protect them.
- Grow bug repellent plants in your garden.
Use natural mosquito repellents
You can use natural mosquito repellents to protect yourself, your family and your pets from mosquito. The natural mosquito repellent is environmentally friendly, cheap, and easy to find! Each of these all-natural plants will also work effectively as an essential oil, diluted into a spray, rubbed onto the skin, used as an incense, or placed throughout a garden as dry leaves or living plants. Protect yourself and your dog, especially if you are living or traveling to the tropical areas, from the infected from the infected mosquito The dogs can be hosts to the virus or with order words, an infected mosquito bites the dog and the dog gets infected with the virus. Then the dog is bitten again from a mosquito that also bites a human taking the virus from the dog and infecting the human.
In 2015, 2.35 million cases of dengue were reported in the Americas alone, of which 10 200 cases were diagnosed as severe dengue causing 1181 deaths.
Note: If you think you are is sick, please go to your doctor to be properly diagnosed and treated or if your dog is sick please take them to the veterinarian.
