Florida's 10th Local Dengue Case Found on West Coast

Dengue poses a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks occurring frequently. As of July 2024, the United States has reported travel-related and locally acquired cases of dengue fever. This indicates the U.S. is quietly joining the over 100 countries currently facing outbreaks.

As of July 5, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 2,391 dengue cases in 45 jurisdictions.

The unfortunate leader reporting mosquito-transmitted disease is the state of Florida.

Florida Health's latest weekly vector-borne illness report confirmed that ten locally acquired dengue cases were reported from four counties (Miami-Dade (6), Monroe (2), Pasco, and Tampa) in 2024.

In 2023, 186 humans were reported from five Florida counties to have locally contracted dengue.

Additionally, 244 travel-associated dengue cases were reported, mainly by visitors from Brazil and Cuba. In 2023, Florida Health reported 609 travel-associated dengue cases.

While most disease outbreaks of this nature have a variety of preventive vaccines and treatments available, dengue is an anomaly.

The CDC's Health Advisory, dated June 25, 2024, stated, 'No antiviral medications are approved to treat dengue. Treatment is supportive and requires careful volume management.'

"Maintain a high suspicion for dengue among patients with fever and recent travel (within 14 days before illness onset) to areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission.'

'Healthcare providers should consider locally acquired dengue among patients with signs and symptoms highly compatible with dengue (e.g., fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, aches, pains, rash) in areas with competent mosquito vectors.'

Also, in late June 2024, the CDC informed its vaccine committee that U.S. residents do not currently have access to a previously approved dengue vaccine.

Furthermore, the CDC did not clarify if the second-generation Qdenga® vaccine would be authorized in 2024.