Dengue Fever Breaks Out In Japan

Japan is battling its first outbreak of dengue fever in almost 70 years, with 22 people confirmed infected.

The health ministry said the cases were believed to have been contracted by visitors to Tokyo's popular Yoyogi Park. 

An outbreak of dengue fever was last recorded in Japan in 1945.

The tropical disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, causes symptoms like high fever and severe joint pains.

Severe cases may require hospital treatment and can occasionally develop into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.  

Japan sees imported cases of dengue fever each year, mostly from tourists who catch it while travelling to tropical regions.

BBC