Officials have confirmed the first locally acquired case of dengue fever in Citrus County, Florida. The Florida Department of Health announced the finding over the weekend. This marks the first time the mosquito-borne illness has been confirmed as locally transmitted in the county, which is located on the state's west coast, approximately one hour north of Tampa.
Florida has recorded a total of 23 locally acquired dengue fever cases this year. Earlier in August, eight cases were reported in Hillsborough County and two in Pinellas County. The only other contiguous U.S. state to report a local case this month is Virginia, with one confirmed instance.
Nationwide, the U.S. has registered 1,575 cases of dengue fever, encompassing both locally and internationally acquired infections. Florida leads contiguous states with 108 cases. While most dengue cases in the U.S. are associated with international travel, the disease was nearly eradicated in the 1970s following a campaign against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for the virus. However, following the cessation of that campaign, the mosquito and dengue fever have reappeared, leading to sporadic outbreaks, particularly in Florida, Texas, and California.
Data from the CDC indicates that at least nine states have reported local transmission of dengue fever since 2010. During this period, over 600 cases of locally spread dengue have been documented in the U.S. Florida has reported the highest number, with more than 600 cases, followed by Hawaii with 250, Texas with 47, and California with 27. Additional cases have also been identified in Arizona, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New York.
Dengue fever is transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, significant muscle, joint, and bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. These symptoms usually appear five to seven days after a mosquito bite. While most individuals recover within a week, some may develop severe dengue, a condition that can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and potentially death if not treated promptly.
The confirmation of this new case coincides with the CDC's updated travel advisories for dengue fever, prompted by unusual upticks in cases globally. The agency has alerted travelers heading to 11 countries and territories, including Bolivia, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, New Caledonia, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tonga, and Vietnam, to exercise precautions due to a rise in dengue cases in these regions.
Health officials recommend that travelers use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleep in air-conditioned rooms or rooms with window screens to prevent mosquito bites. The CDC notes that children under five, individuals over 65, and pregnant women are considered at higher risk of complications from the virus.