Third Locally-Acquire Dengue Cases Confirmed in California

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) recently confirmed a locally acquired case of dengue fever in a person living in the City of Baldwin Park. 

Dengue fever is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

As of September 9, 2024, this is the third locally acquired case of dengue fever in California and the first identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Previous locally acquired cases of dengue fever in the greater LA area were identified in Long Beach and Pasadena in 2023.

The LACDPH stated the risk of transmission of dengue virus to the general population in Los Angeles County remains low. 

As of September 5, 2024, the U.S. CDC reported that 53 jurisdictions, led by Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico, have reported 4,369 dengue cases this year. In 2023, 52 U.S. jurisdictions reported 2,343 dengue cases.

The CDC wrote that these local dengue cases reinforce the presence of infected mosquitoes and underscore the importance of preventive measures to control the spread of this virus.

As of September 10, 2024, dengue vaccines are not offered in the United States.