Dengue Fever is spreading throughout the Americas at a record-breaking rate. Globally, the number of dengue cases in 2024 to date is the most ever recorded at this point in the year. South, Central and North America have experienced a combined total of 10.7 million suspected cases so far, which is more than double the number of cases at the same time last year. Dengue, an infectious disease carried by mosquitos, has historically been confined to tropical regions but in recent years, the northward spread of Aedes aegypti mosquitos has brought the disease to new areas, including the United States.
Climate change and urban growth have fueled the explosion of cases across tropical regions as well as spread of the disease to new countries such as the US. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a health alert warning of the heightened risk of dengue fever in the US. The health agency recorded 2,869 infections in the country as of July 24, the majority of which were in Puerto Rico. While Florida is the only state to confirm any locally acquired infections this year, states have a higher than anticipated number of cases related to travel abroad (920 cases to date in 2024).
Dengue can cause symptoms similar to those caused by a severe flu illness. Specific symptoms can include a high fever that comes on suddenly, joint/muscle pain, headaches, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, nausea, and a rash that forms 3-4 days after the onset of a fever.
