British mum’s dengue fever warning after son’s Thai holiday tragedy

[snoop1130]

 

A crestfallen British mother urged travellers ahead of the holiday season to be wary of dengue fever after losing her son to the disease while he was on holiday in Thailand.

 

The heartbroken mother, Jayne Toulson-Burke, recalled the last devastating phone call from her son, Bob, just before he died from the disease several years ago.

 

The 59 year old revealed her son’s last words after he called to say he was in a hospital in Phuket in December 2016, where he would eventually succumb to dengue fever.

 

“I’ve got to go now. I can’t breathe and they are putting a tube down my throat.”

 

Toulson-Burke from Davenport in Stockport made known that it was the last time she ever heard from her son as he died on December 7, 2016.

 

“He went into a coma and never regained consciousness.”

 

Patong hospital

 

Bob took ill on a flight from Laos to Thailand. He and his friends sought medical attention in Patong, where he was initially diagnosed with just flu. Despite being transferred to Phuket for further treatment, he never recovered.

 

The grief-stricken mother reflected on whether her son’s fate could have been different with better knowledge about the virus.

 

“I have absolutely no doubt in that. He’s a sensible boy. He wouldn’t take risks. He doesn’t even like heights. He’s a sensible lad. If he had known, if I had known, the outcome would surely have been different because when he first fell ill, he would have insisted on a test.”

 

She stressed the importance for travellers to recognise the symptoms of dengue fever and to demand a blood test at hospitals to confirm the virus and begin treatment, reported the Manchester Evening News.

 

The World Health Organisation highlights that around four billion people across 130 countries are vulnerable to dengue, a mosquito-borne virus prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas globally, including some European regions. Travel Health Pro, part of the Foreign Office, issued warnings that dengue is encroaching into areas previously considered disease-free.

 

Since the beginning of 2024, there have been more than five million reported cases of dengue and over 2,000 deaths linked to the virus as of April 2024.

 

Dengue fever has surged worldwide, with Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean bearing the brunt. Although not endemic in Europe, Travel Health Pro warned that if the environment encourages mosquito populations – the primary carriers of dengue – travel-related spread could result in local outbreaks in parts of Europe where these insects thrive. Several countries, including France, Italy, and Spain, reported local cases in 2023, according to the Foreign Office subsidiary.

 

Amidst this tragedy, Toulson-Burke was at Liverpool’s passport office sorting out a replacement for her expired document so she could travel to Asia. It was then that the devastating news about her son’s passing reached her ears from another son, Mark, who had hurried to Thailand to be with his dying brother Bob.

 

Toulson-Burke has turned her grief into an awareness campaign against dengue.

 

“You might think this only happens in the tropics or Asia. It doesn’t. It’s in Europe now. If Bob had known, if I had known more about this, he would have had more of a chance. People think it won’t affect them, but it may affect them if they travel.”

 

What is dengue

 

Dengue is an illness caused by a virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, primarily active during daylight hours, according to an alert published on Travel Health Pro’s website in early May. There are four distinct types of the dengue virus: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4.

 

As per Travel Health Pro, the majority of individuals infected with dengue may not exhibit any symptoms.

 

Dengue treatments

 

If illness develops, it typically manifests suddenly with symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Most infections are self-limiting, with rapid recovery usually occurring three to four days after the rash appears.

 

Are there treatments available for dengue? A small percentage of infected individuals may progress to develop a severe form of the illness, known as severe dengue, previously referred to as dengue haemorrhagic fever. Symptoms of severe dengue include dangerously low blood pressure (shock), fluid accumulation in the lungs, and severe bleeding (haemorrhage). According to Travel Health Pro, all four types of dengue virus infection can lead to either dengue or severe dengue.

 

Currently, there is no specific drug treatment for severe dengue illness. However, supportive treatments for shock and bleeding are available, which can improve survival rates. Without such interventions, severe dengue illness can be fatal.

 

Travelling advice

 

• Travel Health Pro says all travellers, including cruise passengers, who are visiting areas where dengue cases have been reported or where dengue is believed to be present, are at risk of infection.
• Refer to the ‘other risks’ section on Travel Health Pro’s country information web pages to assess the dengue risk at your destination and for specific advice about other health risks.
• Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) country advice for safety and security information for your destination.
• Consult your GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic to ensure all your recommended travel vaccines and UK routine vaccines, including MMR, are up-to-date.
• There is a live, attenuated (weakened) dengue vaccine called Qdenga licensed in the United Kingdom, but it is not suitable for all travellers.

 

By Bob Scott

Picture of Bob Toulson-Burke courtesy of his mother Jane

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-04

 

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[steven100]

yes ...  watch out for those mozzies 

 

put the repellent on if you go out ... especially at night

[scubascuba3]

24 minutes ago, steven100 said:

yes ...  watch out for those mozzies 

 

put the repellent on if you go out ... especially at night

Dengue mosquitoes are day walkers, black and white striped body

[SAFETY FIRST]

45 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

British mum’s dengue fever warning after son’s Thai holiday tragedy 

It's all good to warn others regarding the dangers of dengue but it's the mother's handed down genes that is the issue here. 

 

Genetics loads the gun environment pulls the trigger. 

 

I've had dengue in the past, it's agonising, a week of pain but I survived. 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

In an area such as Thailand with Dengue being a serious risk it has always struck me as particularly careless that we see so much of these 'water Lilly / lotus flower pots' around Thailand...  in schools, temples, houses, restaurants... 

 

 

... Its as if a creating additional breeding grounds for these Mosquito's is deliberate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dinsdale]

28 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

In an area such as Thailand with Dengue being a serious risk it has always struck me as particularly careless that we see so much of these 'water Lilly / lotus flower pots' around Thailand...  in schools, temples, houses, restaurants... 

 

 

... Its as if a creating additional breeding grounds for these Mosquito's is deliberate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These lotus tubs usually have fish in them that eat the larvae.

This is your typical mozzie breeding ground in Thailand.....

Aedes aegypti mosquito. 

 

 

[KannikaP]

Why has Mum not been warning for the past 8 years since the sad demise of her son?

[MalcolmB]

5 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Why has Mum not been warning for the past 8 years since the sad demise of her son?

Grief is a debilitating thing.

Some take years to get over it, and some never do. 

[connda]

12 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Grief is a debilitating thing.

Some take years to get over it, and some never do. 

Lost my daughter 27 years ago.  The guy who killed her is completely unrepentant.

This is the first year where I "missed" the day she died.  That is progress in the grieving process.  Nope.  You don't get over it.  But you find ways to live with it. I wouldn't wish losing an only child on my worst enemy. 

[MalcolmB]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Lost my daughter 27 years ago.  The guy who killed her is completely unrepentant.

This is the first year where I "missed" the day she died.  That is progress in the grieving process.  Nope.  You don't get over it.  But you find ways to live with it. I wouldn't wish losing an only child on my worst enemy. 

Gee that is tough.

Take care mate.

[richard_smith237]

35 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

These lotus tubs usually have fish in them that eat the larvae.

This is your typical mozzie breeding ground in Thailand.....

Aedes aegypti mosquito. 

 

 

 

I get your point - but some, not all of them have fish...    they're a breeding ground.

 

In Thailand there is a lot of 'standing water' which forms a breeding ground, especially in the wet seasons - much more could be done on a national and community level to protect everyone... 

 

 

[connda]

24 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Why has Mum not been warning for the past 8 years since the sad demise of her son?

Really.  What are you going to "warn" against.  It's a mosquito bite.  Try not getting bit by a mosquito in Thailand.  Impossible.  If you live here, you attempt to keep tabs on anyone who has a family member with Dengue and then gauge how close you live to the infected person.  But if you're gonna get it - you're gonna get it.  Usually the first round of Dengue is generally survivable.  Second round?  Bigger problem.  Tragic to lose a child in their prime.

[Yagoda]

BNH Hospital messaged me on Line reminding folks that Dengue Vaccine is available there, but only for those under 65. I lose.

 

I use Lemongrass spray and generally wear long pants, socks and long sleeved shirts.

[Kinnock]

14 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

BNH Hospital messaged me on Line reminding folks that Dengue Vaccine is available there, but only for those under 65. I lose.

 

I use Lemongrass spray and generally wear long pants, socks and long sleeved shirts.

My wife had Dengue a few years ago, so she had the vaccine (three injections and quite expensive) .... I've not had Dengue so was told I could not be vaccinated.

[freedomnow]

7 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

My wife had Dengue a few years ago, so she had the vaccine (three injections and quite expensive) .... I've not had Dengue so was told I could not be vaccinated.

I think that vaccine is a bit dangerous for side effects, was she OK after it ?

[Baht Simpson]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's all good to warn others regarding the dangers of dengue but it's the mother's handed down genes that is the issue here. 

 

Genetics loads the gun environment pulls the trigger. 

 

I've had dengue in the past, it's agonising, a week of pain but I survived. 

 

 

I had it too. It's not known as breakbone fever for nothing.

[Kinnock]

1 hour ago, freedomnow said:

I think that vaccine is a bit dangerous for side effects, was she OK after it ?

Slight fever after first injection, no side effects at all for the next two injections.

[frank83628]

that is where the mother is wrong, from my experience parents have little knowledge what their kids are like when away. 

 

however what has heights got to do with it? or did i misread something?

 

 

[daveAustin]

5 hours ago, connda said:

Lost my daughter 27 years ago.  The guy who killed her is completely unrepentant.

This is the first year where I "missed" the day she died.  That is progress in the grieving process.  Nope.  You don't get over it.  But you find ways to live with it. I wouldn't wish losing an only child on my worst enemy. 

 That's horrendous. Couldn't fathom that. All the best.

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, connda said:

Lost my daughter 27 years ago.  The guy who killed her is completely unrepentant.

This is the first year where I "missed" the day she died.  That is progress in the grieving process.  Nope.  You don't get over it.  But you find ways to live with it. I wouldn't wish losing an only child on my worst enemy. 

 

Tough one... I'm truly sorry to learn of this. No one deserves such an evil twist of fate.

 

There is no emoji to suitably fit a response, so a left the 'heart' as the sad emoji is so often misused on this forum.

 

It is threads such as this which remind me to make the most of my family, to continue doing my best and make more time matter more. Every second really does count, your story is a heartbreaking and cutting reminder of this. 

 

Thank you for sharing. 

[RonJr]

10 hours ago, connda said:

Really.  What are you going to "warn" against.  It's a mosquito bite.  Try not getting bit by a mosquito in Thailand.  Impossible.  If you live here, you attempt to keep tabs on anyone who has a family member with Dengue and then gauge how close you live to the infected person.  But if you're gonna get it - you're gonna get it.  Usually the first round of Dengue is generally survivable.  Second round?  Bigger problem.  Tragic to lose a child in their prime.

The best warnings I have been given which saved me on the first occasion was to rush to the hospital if you begin to vomit, before dehydration or fluid build up killz you. I've fought it before on my own a couple times in guesthouse but now I won't risk it, they say it gets deadlier as you age due to immune response and different strains it takes on due to prior immunity or something 

 

I always get it in the islands, Koh samet Koh chang lot of standing water inland those black an white ones love that <deleted> 

[RonJr]

7 hours ago, frank83628 said:

that is where the mother is wrong, from my experience parents have little knowledge what their kids are like when away. 

 

however what has heights got to do with it? or did i misread something?

 

 

He sounds pretty damn boring to me, I'm sure he was the type that would retire in this paradise and never leave his condo for the outdoors he was so safe. 

However to his credit they didn't know what they do now back then even so the hospital missed the red rash spots and misdiagnosed him and likely only transferred after he went into a coma 

So unlikely to happen these days in Thailand with the English dengue campaigns that recommend going to hospital upon funding rash and such 

[RonJr]

Just now, RonJr said:

He sounds pretty damn boring to me, I'm sure he was the type that would retire in this paradise and never leave his condo for the outdoors he was so safe. 

However to his credit they didn't know what they do now back then even so the hospital missed the red rash spots and misdiagnosed him and likely only transferred after he went into a coma 

So unlikely to happen these days in Thailand with the English dengue campaigns that recommend going to hospital upon funding rash and such 

I do have a few Thai friends that lost young daughters to it. Again lack of education or understanding what they do now days 

[Freddy42OZ]

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

yes ...  watch out for those mozzies 

 

put the repellent on if you go out ... especially at night

Or during the day seeing as the dengue mozzies are primarily active during daylight hours

[steven100]

2 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Or during the day seeing as the dengue mozzies are primarily active during daylight hours

 

yes,   I've been stung here several times ... but not by mozzies

[Peterphuket]

Anywhere there is standing water, such as ponds and the like, are breeding grounds for these pests.

[steven100]

6 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Anywhere there is standing water, such as ponds and the like, are breeding grounds for these pests.

there are some places like that near my soi ....   should I be concerned 

[steven100]

12 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Anywhere there is standing water, such as ponds and the like, are breeding grounds for these pests.

who can I contact

[IvorBiggun2]

 

This picture is scaremongering. These pots contain fish and do not just contain lilies. I know of no one who has these pots that do not have fish in them. Fish eat mosquito larvae. Hence why see these pots outside many Thai houses.

 

Quote

Fish are one of the most important mosquito predators. There are many different species of fish that eat mosquito larvae, especially during their juvenile growth periods. The smaller fish will continually graze on mosquito larvae populations and disrupt their lifecycle by preventing them from becoming adults.

 

[brianthainess]

I have had the local Council come and smoke the whole road, and inside the land, The whole house was covered in the smoke, and we had/told to go away until it subsided. All free of charge.