The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert on Tuesday regarding the risk of dengue fever infections in the United States, including at least 13 cases in Palm Beach County. The CDC noted an unexpectedly higher number of dengue fever cases reported across the country, due to hot temperatures creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to spread the disease. Many countries are experiencing increased cases as well.
Local transmission of dengue in the United States is most common in areas where the disease is prevalent, such as U.S. territories and freely associated states. The CDC has reported a total of 2,241 cases in the U.S. this year, with the majority being travel-related. Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency with nearly 1,500 reported cases, while Florida has the most cases in the continental U.S. Most cases in Florida are in Miami-Dade County, with Palm Beach County reporting 13 travel-related cases.
Symptoms of dengue fever can appear within days of being bitten by an infected mosquito, but may take up to two weeks to develop. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, rash, and body pain. Severe cases can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and death. Dengue is spread through mosquito bites, and currently, there is no widely available vaccine to prevent infection. The best way to prevent dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by covering skin, wearing loose-fitting clothing, using insect repellent, eliminating standing water around your home, and being cautious while traveling during warmer months.