Deadly Dengue Outbreak: CDC Issues Mosquito Alert for Florida Amid Rise in Dengue Cases

Dengue fever is a deadly viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. The illness is known as a deadly disease that can manifest symptoms like flu along with severe headache, skin rash, muscle pain and joint pain, vomiting, and other health complications. If left untreated, a person infected by the dengue virus, which belongs to the family Flaviviridae, can potentially die from internal bleeding or organ failure.

For decades, dengue outbreaks have been reported in multiple countries worldwide, including in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In terms of transmission, the mosquito-borne disease is passed into humans through the bites of vectors like the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These insects thrive in relatively warm temperatures, as well as stagnant water.

Recently, Florida health authorities issued a "mosquito alert" as a health warning due to a potential dengue outbreak in the Sunshine State. The alert was preceded by the recording of at least two dengue fever infections in the Florida Keys. Aside from the alert, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warned the public of deadly diseases across the Americas.

Florida Mosquito Alert

Mosquito Alert Issued for Florida Amid Rise in Dengue Cases, CDC Warns Public of Deadly Dengue Fever Infections — Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images

Due to the emerging threat posed by dengue fever, Florida health authorities recently issued a mosquito alert following the confirmed dengue cases in the Florida Keys, it was reported on Thursday, July 4. In its issued press releases in from April to June 2024, the Florida Department of Health issued a "mosquito-borne illness alert" for the following counties:

Monroe County on June 29
Holmes County on June 28
Hillsborough County on June 22
Pasco County on April 29
Nassau county on May 20

Under the alert, there will be monitoring of cases in the affected Florida counties to mitigate or prevent the spread of dengue infections. In other states across the US, related dengue cases were reported before in Arizona, California, and Texas.

Also Read: Climate Change is Making Dengue Deadlier as Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Spike Worldwide

Dengue Fever Symptoms and Cases

Dengue fever, as mentioned earlier, can be a deadly disease if early detection or medical attention is not given to a patient infected with the dengue virus. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most dengue infections do not manifest symptoms. However, if they do, below are some of the following signs to look out for:

Bone, muscle, and joint pain
Nausea or vomiting
Intense pain behind the eyes
Rash

In addition, dengue fever symptoms can appear as early as four to 10 days from the initial mosquito bite and last for three to seven days. While some people survive dengue infections, there are cases when the disease called "severe dengue" or "dengue hemorrhagic fever" becomes life-threatening, according to the clinic.

According to the CDC, the US so far has reported a total of 2,391 dengue cases in 45 jurisdictions nationwide as of 2024. The figure is expected to increase in the coming months.