Don't End Summer Vacation With Dengue

As the end of Summer 2024 approaches and students prepare to return to school, the idea of getting a last-minute vaccination and heading to a warm beach sounds appealing.

However, with the global outbreak of dengue fever expanding in the Region of the Americas, it's crucial to choose a destination that is free from disease-carrying mosquitoes.

As of July 25, 2024, 43 countries and territories in the Region had reported over 10.8 million dengue cases and 5,848 related deaths.

This new data is over 100% greater than recorded throughout 2023.

To assist international travelers in making informed decisions, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Level 1 Travel Helath Advisory on July 23, 2024, highlighting dengue outbreaks in 14 countries in the Americas.

The CDC says travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites, wear long shirts and pants when outdoors, and sleep in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens.

Furthermore, people are bringing the dengue virus home with them.

The CDC reported that 48 jurisdictions, led by Florida, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas, reported 2,869 dengue cases as of July 24, 2024. 

Since dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease, many travelers seek access to approved vaccines.

However, the Dengvaxia vaccine is generally unavailable in the U.S.

And the second-generation QDENGA® (TAK-003) vaccine has yet to obtain U.S. FDA approval.

Therefore, when visiting at-risk destinations, avoid mosquitoes at the breach. Alternatively, consider sailing offshore, where mosquitoes are less common.