Topline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned doctors in the U.S. to prepare for a potential outbreak of dengue, a virus spread by mosquitoes that has surged worldwide since the start of the year, putting up record numbers throughout North and South America—and in the U.S.
There have been 9.7 million reported cases of dengue in the Americas since Jan. 1—double the 4.6 ... [+]
Key Facts
Dengue, also known as break-bone fever, is a viral infection spread to people through the so-called Aedes mosquito, the same mosquitoes that can spread Zika or chikungunya viruses.
In recent months, the virus has spread worldwide to its highest level on record, according to the CDC, including record-breaking dengue cases this year in the Americas, which have seen a whopping 9.7 million cases since Jan. 1—double the 4.6 million cases recorded in 2023.
With that spread, including in Puerto Rico (nearly 1,500 cases), the CDC warns doctors nationwide should exhibit “increased suspicion of dengue” in people showing fever symptoms and who had been in areas where dengue is common.
Most infections in the U.S. came from travelers who went abroad to places with high risk of dengue transmission, sparking a “traveler’s nightmare,” according to University of the Philippines Manila Dr. Lulu Bravo, who spoke with the Associated Press.
Hot temperatures have also contributed to the spread of dengue, creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to hatch, carrying more and more of the virus with them, multiple outlets reported.
The CDC advises medical professionals to order diagnostic tests for dengue, report cases in a timely manner to public health authorities and promote mosquito bite prevention for people who travel to or live in areas where dengue is common.
The virus, which is common in Central and South America, as well as parts of East Africa and Southeast Asia, affects more than 400 million worldwide per year, according to the CDC, putting roughly half of the world’s population at risk of infection, according to the World Health Organization.
Dengue can also be spread from pregnant mothers to a fetus during pregnancy, risking low birth rate, premature birth and death of the fetus, according to the CDC.
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Where In The U.s. Is Dengue A Concern?
Florida has seen the most cases of dengue in the U.S. this year, with 197 reported cases so far this year, though most reported cases involve people who have traveled to areas at high risk of dengue, including Central and South America, East Africa and Southeast Asia. Florida leads New York (134 reported cases this year), Massachusetts (50), California (40), New Jersey (39), Illinois (27), Pennsylvania (23) and Maryland (19). “Limited” spread of dengue has been detected in several states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas, and while risk of infections has increased in the U.S., as a whole, the risk of “widespread” transmission remains low, according to the CDC.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dengue?
While symptoms of dengue can be severe, only one in four people infected become sick, according to the CDC. In severe cases, infection can be life-threatening, requiring hospitalization within a few hours of infection. The most common symptoms are fever, aches and pain typically in the eyes, muscles or joints, nausea, and rash. Those symptoms typically last up to a week, at which point most people typically recover.
How Dangerous Is Dengue?
Roughly one in 20 cases of dengue can become severe, with symptoms including shock, internal bleeding and death, according to the CDC. Surprisingly, the virus can be more severe in humans if they have already been infected, the WHO states, with severe symptoms including abdominal pain, “persistent” vomiting, rapid bleeding, fatigue, blood in stool and vomit, extreme thirst and chills.
Surprising Fact
There is no treatment for dengue, according to the WHO, which advises people experiencing symptoms to focus on treating the pain associated with the virus. Most cases can be treated with pain medicine, the WHO states. Meanwhile, only one dengue vaccine has been approved for use in the U.S.—pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Pasteur’s Dengvaxia. That vaccine received Food and Drug Administration approval in 2019 for children between 9 and 16, though Sanofi-Pasteur has since said it plans to stop production on its vaccine for children, citing reduced demand on the global market, as concerns mounted over the effectiveness of the vaccine. That announcement came after vaccine program in the Philippines found the vaccine increased the risk of severity in people who had not been previously infected
