Growth in air travel in Asia to blame for spread of dengue
The rise in air connectivity across Asia has brought many benefits to the region and beyond but there is also a downside.
Researchers say air travel in Asia is the main reason for an increase in cases of dengue fever in the past decade.
Chinese researchers found the spread of three dengue virus strains, DENV-1, -2, and -3, were due to the growth in air travel more than any other factor.
The study looked at maritime travel, migration, and socio-economic factors from 1956 to 2015.
Huaiyu Tian and Bing Xu, from Beijing Normal University, China looked at 2,202 genetic sequences of dengue viruses in 20 counties in the region.
"Future trends in global mobility could potentially accelerate the appearance and diffusion of DENV worldwide," they said.
"Prevention and control of dengue epidemics requires a better understanding of its mode of geographic dissemination, especially for countries in the tropics."
Air traffic hubs in countries such as Thailand and India help speed up the spread, they said and countries such as China and Indonesia, with fast growing aviation markets, diffuse the virus to other Asian countries.
The Dengue virus affects up to 390 million people worldwide each year and symptoms include mild fever, headaches and severe low blood pressure.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025