The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection (Rospotrebnadzor) has warned that the dengue fever outbreak in Bali may have flu-like symptoms.
The agency explained in a statement published on its channel on the Russian platform "MAX" that some Russian tourists returning from Bali may contract dengue fever without realizing it, due to the similarity of its initial symptoms to those of the flu, calling for monitoring the health status after returning to Russia to avoid the spread of the disease.
The statement said that the early symptoms of dengue fever are difficult to distinguish from those of the flu, and include a high fever, severe headache, body aches, and nausea. It added that Indonesia has recorded more than 34,000 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of 2026, including 81 deaths.
The agency noted that the peak influenza season in Bali ended in early June, but the island is currently experiencing a seasonal increase in dengue fever cases.
The Russian channel “Baza” on the Telegram app had previously reported that a number of Russian tourists and residents reported being infected with what they described as “Hong Kong flu” in Bali, noting that the symptoms were more severe than those caused by the “COVID-19” virus.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Its symptoms include fever, muscle, bone and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.
Dengue fever is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions, and while many cases are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, in some cases the disease can develop into serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
