Raising awareness for mosquito-borne diseases

I’m Jayne, mum, wife, public speaker and ambassador for World Mosquito Programme.

This is Bob’s story.

In 2016 my son, Bob, aged 21, travelled to Asia with friends on a trip of a lifetime.

Bob at a bar with friends

As with any visit to tropical countries, Bob received vaccinations for common diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever. However, he received little information regarding Dengue Fever and the fact that no vaccine is currently available.

Whilst travelling, Bob became sick with flu-like symptoms and visited a local hospital in Phuket, Thailand.

Here, due to the lack of specialist medical knowledge about dengue symptoms, Bob was given the all-clear and told to return if he was still unwell.

A few days later, as Bob’s health deteriorated, he returned and was transferred to a government hospital with better healthcare facilities.

  • I told him I loved him and that we were on the next flight. He told me he loved me. And that was the last I heard from him.

When doctors became aware of the cause, it was too late, and Bob passed away from severe hemorrhagic dengue fever seven days later.

As Bob received little to no information from healthcare workers about the dangers of dengue fever or the correct medical care, my goal is now to share Bob’s story as far and wide as possible.

From raising awareness for fellow travellers to sharing World Mosquito Programme’s incredible work, we can all help protect communities and people worldwide from mosquito-borne diseases.

Watch ‘We are here, but we are lost’

How you can help

Jayne with World Mosquito Programme in Vietnam

World Mosquito Programme is a global initiative helping to protect the world from mosquito-borne diseases. Find out more about their work and how you can get involved.

Jayne with World Mosquito Programme in Vietnam

Ready to share Bob’s story?

Please get in touch with me to hear more about Bob’s story, speaking opportunities, or how we can help fight mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever together.