Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, is on the rise in the US. Here’s a quick guide on what dengue is and how you can protect yourself:
Mosquitoes are way more than just an annoying buzz in the summer. They can actually carry some pretty serious diseases, like West Nile virus, malaria, and Zika. Recently, there's been a strange increase in dengue fever cases in the US, which is a bit concerning.
So, what’s dengue and where is it showing up in the US? Dengue is caused by one of four related viruses, and not everyone who gets it will feel sick. If you do get symptoms, it usually feels like the flu and starts a few days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If you have a fever and any of these symptoms—headaches, joint or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, or a rash—it's a good idea to see a doctor, especially if you’ve been in an area where dengue is common.
Severe cases of dengue can be serious, leading to symptoms like low blood pressure, bleeding, stomach swelling, or extreme fatigue. These need immediate medical attention, and often require hospital care. But don’t worry too much—deaths from dengue in the US are rare.
Dengue isn’t spread directly from person to person; it’s spread through mosquitoes that have bitten someone already infected. So, if someone travels from a high-risk area with dengue and then gets bitten by a mosquito in the US, that mosquito can spread the virus further.
In the US, dengue cases are mostly reported in places like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands, and in states like Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and California. While there’s been an increase, it’s still not as widespread as in other parts of the world.
So, what’s dengue and where is it showing up in the US? Dengue is caused by one of four related viruses, and not everyone who gets it will feel sick. If you do get symptoms, it usually feels like the flu and starts a few days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If you have a fever and any of these symptoms—headaches, joint or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, or a rash—it's a good idea to see a doctor, especially if you’ve been in an area where dengue is common.
Severe cases of dengue can be serious, leading to symptoms like low blood pressure, bleeding, stomach swelling, or extreme fatigue. These need immediate medical attention, and often require hospital care. But don’t worry too much—deaths from dengue in the US are rare.
Dengue isn’t spread directly from person to person; it’s spread through mosquitoes that have bitten someone already infected. So, if someone travels from a high-risk area with dengue and then gets bitten by a mosquito in the US, that mosquito can spread the virus further.
In the US, dengue cases are mostly reported in places like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands, and in states like Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and California. While there’s been an increase, it’s still not as widespread as in other parts of the world.
As of now, the CDC has reported nearly 3,000 cases of dengue fever in the US and its territories. The states with the most cases are Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and California. Puerto Rico, which declared a public health emergency in March, had nearly 1,500 cases by late June 2024. Although the number of cases in the US is higher than in past years, it’s still relatively low compared to the global situation, where there were a record 9.7 million dengue cases across the Americas in the first half of 2024.
Right now, there’s no vaccine widely available in the US for dengue, although there is one for children in areas where dengue is common. It’s being phased out in 2025.
Right now, there’s no vaccine widely available in the US for dengue, although there is one for children in areas where dengue is common. It’s being phased out in 2025.
To protect yourself, especially if you’re traveling or living in high-risk areas, make sure to use mosquito repellent with DEET or other approved ingredients, wear long sleeves and pants, and try to stay in places with screens or air conditioning. Also, don’t let mosquitoes breed by getting rid of standing water around your home.
Hope this helps keep you all informed and safe!
Uma excelente tarde de domingo e um bom início de semana minha querida amiga. O Brasil sabe muito sobre a dengue e outras doenças transmitidas por mosquitos. Tivemos um surto esse ano. Já tive uma vez, não foi a hemorrágica, graças a Deus.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday afternoon too! I’m sorry to hear about the outbreak in Brazil—it sounds like it’s been a tough year. I’m glad you didn’t have a severe case. Stay safe and take care!
DeleteHi Melody!
ReplyDeleteYour post is very important! I, hope that this nastiness willn't reach Poland! I can't stand mosquitoes. Fortunately, due to the dry summer we don't have a plague of mosquitoes.
Melody, I salute you and I wish you a good new week!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope dengue stays away from Poland too. It’s great that the dry summer has kept the mosquito numbers down. Wishing you a fantastic new week as well!
DeleteI didn't know about Dengue fever. Thank you for spreading awareness.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome! I’m glad to help spread the word. It’s important to stay informed about these things.
DeleteUno siempre debe cuidarse Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, taking care of yourself is key. It’s always good to stay informed and be proactive about your health.
DeleteThank you for this post. Very informative.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome! I’m glad you found it informative.
DeleteVery interesting and infomative post, thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I’m glad you found the post interesting and informative. If you have any more questions or need more info, just let me know!
DeleteHi Melody! Thank you for sharing this important information about dengue fever. It's concerning to see the rise in cases in the US, especially since many people might not be aware of the symptoms or how it's spread. The tips on protection are crucial, especially using mosquito repellent and eliminating standing water to prevent breeding. It's also interesting to note that while dengue isn't as widespread here as in other parts of the world, we still need to be vigilant, especially in areas like Florida and Puerto Rico. I hope more people become aware of the symptoms and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities. Thanks again for shedding light on this topic! Best regards to you from Seattle. John
ReplyDeleteHi John! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You’re absolutely right—awareness is key to staying safe. It’s great to hear that the tips and information are useful. Let’s hope more people stay informed and take action to keep themselves and their communities protected. Best regards from here too!
DeleteI don't think we've had any cases in Poland, but we definitely have in Europe.
ReplyDeleteYes, dengue has been reported in parts of Europe, though it's not as common as in some other regions. It’s always good to stay informed and take precautions, especially if you’re traveling. Thanks for pointing that out!
DeleteOh goodness! I really appreciate the heads up. I need to remember to use bug spray when I am out and about!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Using bug spray is a simple but effective way to protect yourself. Glad you found the info helpful!
DeleteI've never been to the States before, but thank you for the valuable information!
ReplyDeleteDengue is so bad and we need to protect ourselves from it. Thanks a lot for this info. Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRampdiary
Can't stand mosquitoes and flies...good to know!
ReplyDelete...mosquito-borne illnesses have always been serious problems, but they are becoming more so today.
ReplyDeleteO seu texto reveste-se de grande importância pela chamada de atenção e conselhos que dá para as doenças provocadas por esse maldito mosquito.
ReplyDeleteMuito obrigado pela partilha.
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Thanks, Melody. This is an important and well done post.
ReplyDelete