Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Dengue fever is in the news right now after the death of a young Samoan boy at Starship Hospital last week. As many New Zealanders travel to the Pacific Islands, the recent outbreak means it’s something to consider.  The other interesting fact about dengue fever is as well as being relevant to the Pacific, it’s becoming more common around the world due to climate change – increasing temperature and humidity driving mosquito population and leading to more people being infected.      What is it?   A mosquito-spread virus. You get it when a mosquito bites you that is infected with dengue fever.   Unlike malaria, it’s carried by the small mosquitoes that come out during the day. Not the evening/early morning mosquitoes that typically carry malaria.  It’s becoming more common around the world with climate change – with hotter more humid temperatures.   Endemic in Pacific, which is presently going through an outbreak.   Can actually now be found in places like far North