Spain health warning as eight come down with tropical virus - symptoms to spot

According to the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), there are now eight confirmed cases of dengue in Spain.

Among the confirmed cases in Tarragona, two have required hospitilisation, four experienced mild symptoms and the other two were asymptomatic.

Dengue is caused by Asian tiger mosquitos presenting symptoms including headache, high fever, nausea, rash and body aches.

Confirmed cases of dengue include five workers from PortAventura theme park, two French tourists and one local resident.

Most people with dengue often get better within one to two weeks however some may need care in a hospital.

The number of cases of dengue has risen from five to eight with the health department warning there may be more cases emerging in the next coming days.

The first outbreak alert was on August 29 by the Department of Health with the two patients being admitted to Joan XXII hospital.

They displayed the common symptoms of dengue which included skin rashes, high fever and joint pain.

Dr Steven White, a theoretical ecologist warned those going on holiday, particularly in locations around the Mediterranean basin.

He urged travellers to 'be careful because there are lots of these mosquitos around.'

He added: "There's a higher risk you may pick up dengue from these places when you go on holiday."

It's believed all individuals suffering with the illness had been in a specific area of Vila-seca with preventative measures against mosquitos underway.

ASPCAT warned: "When a case is confirmed, an active search for new affected individuals is conducted through inspections to detect possible transmission foci from mosquitoes.

"Primary and hospital care services in the area are also alerted to identify suspected cases."

According to El País newspaper, the eight confirmed dengue cases possibly had a common exposure in the specific area with five Port Aventura workers living in the same flat, the two French tourists were staying in a nearby hotel and the eighth person living nearby.

This autochthonous dengue fever is the largest recorded in Spain in modern times.

As such, the CCAES communicated the outbreak through the alert systems of the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

There have been reports of Asian tiger mosquito eggs in southeast England however the species has yet to become established in the UK.

Health experts advise if you suspect you may have dengue to get rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen but rather use acetaminophen such as paracetamol.

If the symptoms become more severe, contact your doctor as soon as possible.