According to the CDC, there have been 745 cases among U.S. travelers this year, setting a new record.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory warning the public and healthcare officials about the increasing risk of dengue virus infections in the United States.
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency with almost 1,500 cases.
According to the CDC, there have been 745 cases among U.S. travelers this year, setting a new record.
The global incidence of dengue in 2024 is the highest on record, as reported by the CDC. This trend is being fueled by the warmer temperatures attributed to climate change, and the disease is spread by bites from the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Dengue is usually more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
The CDC urged healthcare providers to be increasingly suspicious of people with fevers who have recently visited areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmissions.
The CDC also called for healthcare providers to order the appropriate detection tests and report the results promptly to public health authorities.
To promote mosquito bite prevention measures among people and travelers who live or visit areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission.
In addition, the U.S. agency advised healthcare workers "to promote mosquito bite prevention measures among people and travelers who live or visit areas where there is frequent or continuous dengue transmission."
Dengue infections are often asymptomatic or can sometimes produce a mild illness. However, dengue can sometimes manifest as a severe illness that can cause death.
After a fever from dengue has subsided, other symptoms can emerge, including severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, severe thirst, pale and cold skin, and weakness.
The World Health Organization
The World Health Organization says that after a fever from dengue has subsided, other symptoms can emerge, including severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, severe thirst, pale and cold skin, and weakness.
While there is no specific treatment for dengue, WHO said most cases are treated with pain medication, but recuperation can take several weeks.
In 2000, WHO reported 505,430 global dengue cases. Nineteen years later, that figure jumped to at least 5.2 million cases.
WHO warned that the number was likely an underestimate of the cases, as dengue is frequently underreported and misdiagnosed.
(VOA/TAB)
