The exact cause of former world champion Andy Irons’s death has yet to be confirmed but it’s suspected he may have contracted Dengue Fever while in Puerto Rico. Irons was 32 when he died after symptoms of intense fever and vomiting.
When Irons arrived in Puerto Rico with the rest of the ASP World Tour competitors after competing in Portugal recently, he was reportedly unable to compete due to illness. It’s now thought he might have contracted Dengue Fever – a viral disease spread by mosquitoes – while in Puerto Rico.
Andy Irons RIP – San Francisco Chronicle
Irons had flown to Miami for treatment and a drip before heading back to Hawaii to see his personal doctor. On the layover stop in Dallas, Texas, he became seriously ill and was not able to make the flight to Hawaii. He died in a hotel room in Dallas, late on Tuesday night. Employees at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, found the body and called airport police. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.
Irons’s father Phil confirmed his son’s death to the AFP news agency. Andy Irons’s brother Bruce is also a top professional surfer.
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What is Dengue Fever?
According to www.medicinenet.com dengue fever (pronounced DENG-gay) is a disease caused by a family of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms like headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash.
The presence (the “dengue triad”) of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.
Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.
Dengue goes by other names, including “breakbone” or “dandy fever.” Victims often have contortions due to intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever.