Tthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert on Tuesday, advising healthcare providers and public health officials about an elevated risk of dengue infections in the U.S.
The viral disease, which spreads through mosquito bites, has affected at least 2,241 people in the country this year, According to the CDC.
The highest number of cases in the continental United States were recorded in Florida, New York and Massachusetts. But the crux of U.S. cases was recorded in Puerto Rico, where nearly 1,500 cases were reported in 2024. (Travelers from the U.S. also reported a high number of infections, with 745 cases.) The U.S. territory issued its own emergency public health this March, while the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an emergency related to the virus last December.
The spread of the disease was exacerbated by the increasingly wet and hot summer months brought on by El Niño. Experts say the climate is ideal for mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to reproduce and continue to spread dengue.
Dengue affects around 400 million people annually. Here’s what you should know about the virus.
What is dengue?
Dengue is a viral disease most common in tropical and subtropical climates, According to WHO. There are four different types of viruses.
Infected mosquitoes of the Aedes species can transmit the disease to humans. Many infected people have mild symptoms or no symptoms, although others may experience pain, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. A high fever can also be indicative of dengue fever. The WHO says symptoms typically begin about 4 to 10 days after infection, while the CDC points to a broader time frame: within two weeks of being bitten by a mosquito.
Symptoms generally clear in about a week, the CDC says.
Dengue is only fatal in severe cases, which can bring symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, bloody stools, pale and cold skin and more.
How to prevent dengue infection
In the US, most cases occurred in travelers who went to areas at risk of dengue fever. But because the mosquitoes that spread the disease live throughout the country, “local spread of dengue fever is possible,” the CDC says.
Because dengue is spread by pesky flying insects, the best way to prevent transmission of the disease is to avoid mosquito bites. This can be done by using insect repellent or opting for loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing.
Dengue outbreaks happens every two to five years. People should be especially cautious about contracting the virus if they plan to travel to Latin America, which has seen a record number of cases so far, according to the CDC.
Is there a way to treat dengue fever?
Most doctors treat dengue symptoms by prescribing acetaminophen or asking patients to stay hydrated. But there is no special medicine to overcome the disease.
There is a dengue vaccine for children aged 9 to 16, if they have confirmed previous infection or live in an area where dengue is common. Vaccines are recommended for US territories, according to the CDC.
According to the new advisory, doctors are advised to be aware of the increased possibility of dengue fever among patients and to consider testing for dengue fever if necessary.
Is dengue common in the US?
The CDC lists freely associated states and six U.S. territories as areas with “frequent or ongoing transmission of dengue fever,” including Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There he was 197 cases reported in Florida, followed by 134 in New York and 50 in Massachusetts. Infections in these states have been small or sporadic, according to the CDC warning. Transmission of the virus has also been reported in Arizona and California over the past two years.
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This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
