The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued a health alert warning of the risk of dengue fever infections in the United States. This includes at least 13 cases reported in Palm Beach County, which follows an increase in dengue fever cases across the country. The increase is believed to be due to higher than usual cases reported globally due to hot temperatures creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes to spread the disease.
As of now, there have been a total of 2,241 reported cases in the U.S. this year, with the majority of cases being travel-related. Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency with nearly 1,500 cases reported, while Florida has the highest number of cases in the continental U.S., primarily in Miami-Dade County. Palm Beach County has also reported 13 cases, all of which are travel-related. There have been no reported cases in neighboring counties as of Wednesday morning.
Dengue fever symptoms can occur within a few days of being bitten by an infected mosquito but may take up to two weeks to develop. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, rash, and body pain, while severe cases can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and even death. Dengue is spread through mosquito bites and there is currently no widely available vaccine to prevent infection. The best way to prevent dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by keeping skin covered when outdoors, wearing loose-fitting clothing, using insect repellent, eliminating standing water around your home and being cautious when traveling this summer.
It’s important for individuals living or traveling near areas where dengue fever is common to take precautions and be aware of potential risks associated with this disease.
The CDC advises that if you believe you may have been exposed to dengue fever or are experiencing any symptoms related to it
