Tourists planning an idyllic South Pacific vacation in Fiji might consider putting a little something other than sunscreen into their bags, specifically protection against dengue fever, a mosquito-carried virus which is rapidly spreading across the region.In a recent development that has alarmed global health authorities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Level 1 travel alert for Fiji after a sharp increase in cases of dengue fever. Although the alert does not advocate for travel bans, it advises caution and attention particularly since Fiji is approaching peak cruise season and continues to receive thousands of foreign visitors.Fiji, famous for its coral reefs, green rainforests, and untouched beaches, has also become a cruise tourist hotspot. In 2023, the island country received more than 83,000 cruise ship visitors, a figure expected to reach more than 86,000 in 2024, as per reports. But while its tourism sector blossoms, the Pacific paradise is grappling with a worrying health crisis at the same time.The Fiji Central Division reported more than 1,000 dengue cases in January through late March alone. By the final week of February 2025, combined case reports throughout the country had climbed to 2,436. The nation's Ministry of Health credits this sudden increase with exceptionally heavy rainfall and flooding, which offer perfect breeding ground for the mosquito—the main vector for dengue virus transmission.What is Viral Fever Outbreak In Fiji?Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It usually develops with high fever, severe muscle and joint pain (commonly called "breakbone fever"), nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and rash. In certain instances, the person may feel pain behind the eyes—a classic symptom.Although most cases of dengue are self-limiting, severe dengue (or dengue hemorrhagic fever) may result in life-threatening complications like internal bleeding, respiratory impairment, and organ failure. No antiviral drug for dengue is available at present. Supportive measures like proper hydration and over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for pain relief can be given in mild cases. Hospitalization is required in severe cases for fluid management and intensive monitoring.What is a Level 1 Alert?The CDC's Level 1 alert—ranked as "Practice Usual Precautions"—is the lowest on its travel health notice hierarchy. This does not, however, equate to negligible risk. Rather, it informs travelers that there is an outbreak and that preemptive action must be taken in order to not get infected."Spring and summer travel overlap with the high season for dengue in much of the globe, raising the possibility of both travel-related and locally transmitted cases in the United States," the CDC wrote in its latest health advisory.Since most cruise routes go through tropical regions during these times, the chance of contact with infected mosquitoes greatly increases.The case in Fiji is not unique. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that dengue has become one of the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne illnesses in the world. As many as 100 to 400 million cases are estimated each year, and half of the world's population is now under threat.In 2024, the World Mosquito Program had called it the "worst year for dengue on record," since outbreaks were at the same time reported in Brazil, Colombia, the Philippines, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. Rapid urbanization and climate change have been identified as major drivers behind this trend.Increased global warming, higher rainfalls, and flooding—all effects of a hotter planet—provide ideal conditions for mosquito populations to flourish. "If we keep putting planet-warming gases into our air.dengue and other vector-borne diseases will only prosper," the Fiji government warned.Precautionary Steps Tourists Need to Take Prior to and During TravelNo vaccine is universally recommended for tourists, although prevention is still the best course.Here’s what the CDC and Fiji’s Ministry of Health recommend:Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.Wear protective clothing such as loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.Stay in accommodations with screened windows, air conditioning, or use mosquito bed nets if sleeping outdoors or in unscreened environments.Avoid standing water, which serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.If bitten, do not scratch the bite and use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching.In addition, travelers should visit their healthcare provider prior to travel and remain up to date with information from the CDC, WHO, and local health authorities.Fiji’s Ministry of Health has ramped up its vector control operations, including mosquito surveillance, fogging in affected areas, and community education. Public service announcements are urging residents and tourists alike to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.Cruise lines with Fijian stops have also increased measures to inform passengers about health risks and preventive measures. Unless the outbreak worsens further or spreads to other areas, cruise operations are likely to go on as usual.Medical experts warn that dengue fever outbreaks will become more common and extensive as a result of climate changes and more travel internationally. As a result, travelers need to start considering mosquito-borne diseases not as far-off chances but as actual health factors particularly when traveling to tropical areas.Until now, Fiji has been open to tourism, but the spike in dengue cases is a wake-up call: the loveliness of an environment that does not protect it from threats to global health. Whether on a beach or trekking through rainforests inland, simple but crucial precautions may be the difference between a vacation dreams and a medical crisis.