The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) in the present day issued an alert to warn well being suppliers and the general public about an elevated danger of dengue virus infections in the USA.
The warning comes in opposition to the backdrop of a report surge within the Americas area, the place greater than 9.7 million instances have already been reported this yr—twice as many for all of 2023.
In March, Puerto Rico declared a public well being emergency on account of an early rise in exercise, with practically 1,500 instances reported thus far. Additionally, the CDC has reported a higher-than-expected variety of travel-related instances in US vacationers this yr, with 745 dengue infections thus far.
Transmission is steady in some US states and territories, and sporadic instances and outbreaks have occurred in just a few states.
Sporadic instances in Florida
The Florida Division of Well being has reported eight native instances this yr from three totally different counties: Miami-Dade (6), Pasco (1), and Hillsboro (1), in response to its newest arbovirus surveillance report. The latest case was from Hillsboro County.
The CDC mentioned increased temperatures can broaden the vary of mosquitoes that may unfold dengue and famous that the US summer time journey season usually overlaps with months of elevated dengue exercise in lots of nations. It urged well being suppliers to have a excessive index of suspicion in sufferers who’ve fever and a historical past of journey to dengue-affected nations. It additionally inspired the general public to keep away from mosquito bites and management mosquitoes indoors and outdoor.
Additionally, the company mentioned it’s offering extra frequent updates to stakeholders and is increasing lab testing capability.