Andy Irons, Three-time World Surfing Champion, Died While Battling Dengue Fever

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Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 03 Nov 2010 - 14:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Andy Irons (July 24,1978 - November 2, 2010) died yesterday en-route from Puerto Rico to Kauai where he lived, probably from complications due to dengue fever, according to the Association of Surfing Professionals. Irons won the world surfing championship three times at every location on the elite men's professional circuit.

Dengue fever, otherwise known as breakbone fever is an infection carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and more rarely by the Aedes albopictus mosquito, that causes flu-like symptoms. Dengue fever can be caused by four different viruses. In most cases Dengue symptoms are mild, but they can be severe, examples include dengue shock syndrome and DHF (dengue hemorrhagic fever). The majority of patients who develop more serious forms of the infection need to be admitted to hospital. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent Dengue fever. Prevention is best achieved by avoiding the mosquito bite.

According to the World Health Organization, up to 100 million people develop dengue fever globally each year. It is more common in tropical areas and urban parts of the subtropics. Unlike malaria, dengue is equally prevalent in urban and rural areas.

Andy Irons' family issued the following message:

The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion.

Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with Dengue Fever, a viral disease.

At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.

Irons, who began his career with the elite ASP World Tour in 1998, went on to collect 20 elite tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, three consecutive ASP World Titles and change the sport forever with his unparalleled ability and comprehensive approach to surfing.

Fellow competitors said Irons had been struggling with dengue fever ever since becoming infected in Bali, Indonesia.

Source: Association of Surfing Professionals

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
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