Palm Beach Now Under Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory

According to a recent Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) announcement, the county is now under a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory after confirming a locally acquired dengue case.

On September 12, 2024, DOH-Palm Beach and the Mosquito Control Division of Palm Beach County informed residents they are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by surveilling and treating the affected area. They are also reminding the community to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Just 70 miles south, Dade County has reported 22 locally acquired dengue cases this year and has been under a mosquito-borne illness alert for over one year.

As of September 18, 2024, Florida has reported 35 locally acquired and 515 travel-associated dengue cases this year. Many travel-related cases have been confirmed among visitors from Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other countries.

"Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus), which are the same types of mosquitoes that transmit Zika and chikungunya viruses, stated Duellyn Pandis, DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-C, Certificate in Travel Health®.

"Aedes aegypti mosquitoes primarily bite during the day while Malaria Anopheles genus Mosquitos bite at dusk and dawn, added Pandis, President & CEO of Passport Health of Tampa Bay.

Florida continues statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including chikungunya and malaria.

A seventh chikungunya case, with an onset in 2024, has been reported in individuals with a travel history to Brazil (5) and India (2). Florida counties reporting chikungunya cases were Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Pinellas.

Last August, on Florida's west coast, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network Health Update (CDCHAN-00496) for the greater Tampa area (Sarasota and Manatee Counties), reporting various locally acquired malaria cases.

As of September 18, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Canada, and the United Kingdom have not issued vaccination requirements for visitors to Florida.

Research indicates about 135 million people visited Florida last year. Of these travelers, 8 million traveled from overseas, and 3.8 million traveled from Canada.

While dengue vaccines are no longer offered in the United States, the IXCHIQ® single-dose chikungunya vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year and is now offered at many travel clinics and pharmacies throughout the U.S.

Note: Travel vaccine expert quote inserted on Sept. 23, 2024.