The Centers for Disease Control has issued a health alert over the increased risk of dengue virus infections in the United States.
Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, has been reported in 43 states — including Florida — so far this year, according to the CDC.
A total of 2,241 dengue cases in the U.S. were reported on the CDC website early Wednesday, June 26. Of those cases, 1,496 were acquired locally. The remainder were travel related.
How many cases of dengue fever have been reported in Florida?
The CDC reports there have been 197 cases of dengue in Florida in 2024. Of those, six were acquired locally, and 191 were travel related.
The majority of the dengue cases acquired in Florida were in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In 2022, the latest data available from Florida Health Charts, there were 966 cases of dengue fever reported in Florida. Counties with dengue cases were:
- 675: Miami-Dade
- 77: Hillsborough
- 57: Broward
- 29: Palm Beach
- 28: Lee
- 13: Collier, Orange
- 9: Duval
- 8: Polk
- 5: Osecola, Sarasota
- 4: Monroe
- 3: Hendry, Pasco, Volusia
- 2: Escambia, Flagler, Hernando, Manatee, Martin, Suwannee
- 1: Bay, Brevard, Charlotte, Indian River, Lake, Leon, St. Johns, Santa Rosa
Why did the CDC issue a health alert on dengue?
The CDC said it issued the health alert to notify healthcare providers, public health authorities and the public of an increased risk of dengue virus infections in the United States in 2024.
"Global incidence of dengue in 2024 has been the highest on record for this calendar year; many countries are reporting higher-than-usualdengue case numbers. In 2024,countries in the Americashave reported a record-breaking number of dengue cases, exceeding the highest number ever recorded in a single year," the CDC said.
"From Jan. 1 through June 24, 2024, countries in the Americas reported more than 9.7 million dengue cases, twice as many as in all of 2023 (4.6 million cases). In the United States, Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency (1,498 cases) and a higher-than-expected number of dengue cases have been identified among U.S. travelers (745 cases)."
How do people get dengue?
Dengue is a viral diseasecaused by any of four related viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Thedengue virus spreads from person to personthrough the bite from an infectedAedes aegyptiorAedes albopictusmosquito, both of which are present in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.
After a femalemosquito bites a person infected with the denguevirus, there's an incubation period of eight to 12 days. After that time, the mosquito can transmit the virus for the rest of their one-month life span, the CDC said.
Is there a treatment if you get dengue?
There are no antiviral medications approved to treat dengue, the CDC said.
Treatment is supportive, when needed.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
The mostcommon dengue symptomis a high fever of 104 degrees, and any of the following signs:
- Headache
- Muscle, bone or joint pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Pain behind the eyes
- Swollen glands
Mild symptoms of dengue can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, the CDC said.
Symptoms of dengue typicallylast two to seven days.
Most people will recover after about a week.
When to seek emergency help if you think you have dengue
Severe dengue is a medical emergency, the CDC said. Warning signs usually begin in the 24 to 48 hours after your fever has gone away.
"About 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue. Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and death." A blood test is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.
"Untreatedsevere dengue fevermay have a mortality rate of 10% to 20%. However, with appropriate supportive care, the mortality rate can be reduced to approximately 1%," the National Library of Medicine said.
Go to a local clinic or emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Belly pain or tenderness
- Vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours)
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
- Feeling extremely tired or restless
Recommendations to protect yourself from mosquitoes
- Learn how to preventmosquito bites.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents during travel to and after returning from areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission.
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved pants and shirts.
- Control mosquitos at homeindoors and outdoors.
- Use air conditioning and window screens when possible, to lower risk for mosquito bites indoors.
- Dump and drain containers that hold water to reduce mosquito egg-laying sites in your home and neighborhood.
- Seek medical care if you have a fever or have dengue symptoms and live in or traveled to an area with dengueoutbreaks.
- If you plan international travel to aan area with frequent or continuous dengue transmission, protect yourself from mosquito bites during and after your trip.
