It’s affecting the Florida Keys.
Health officials in the Florida Keys have issued a dengue fever alert following the confirmation of two cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the area. The Monroe County Department of Health announced this week that precautionary measures are being intensified to contain the spread of dengue fever. These measures include increased door-to-door mosquito inspections, enhanced mosquito surveillance, aerial spraying of mosquito treatments as needed, and truck-mounted mosquito treatments in neighborhoods.
The concern over dengue fever extends beyond Florida. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a nationwide advisory highlighting the elevated risk of dengue fever infections across the United States. Puerto Rico has been significantly affected, reporting 1,498 cases out of the 2,241 dengue cases reported in the U.S. so far this year. Earlier in the year, Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency due to a surge in dengue cases, surpassing historical records.
Globally, the incidence of dengue fever has reached record levels this year, particularly in Latin American countries where over 9.7 million cases have been reported. This figure is twice the number reported in all of 2023. The increase is attributed in part to rising temperatures, which create optimal conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit dengue.
The CDC notes that dengue transmission peaks during warmer and wetter months in tropical and subtropical regions, correlating with the global trend of increasing temperatures. Symptoms of dengue fever can range from mild to severe and include fever, joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Severe cases, known as severe dengue, can lead to life-threatening complications such as shock, internal bleeding, and organ failure, necessitating hospitalization.
Preventive measures recommended by health authorities include staying in air-conditioned places whenever possible, installing window screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), and eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed. These efforts are crucial for reducing the risk of dengue fever transmission and protecting public health.
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