CDC Warns Of Increased Risk For Dengue Fever Infections In US

The Washington Post (6/25, Sun) reports, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned clinicians, health authorities and the public Tuesday about an increased risk for dengue virus infections in the United States because of the record-breaking global incidence of the mosquito-borne viral disease.” So far in 2024, “countries in the Americas have reported more than 9.7 million dengue cases, twice as many as in all of 2023, exceeding the highest number ever recorded in a single year, the CDC said in a health advisory.” In the US, “Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency because of the unusually high number of cases reported in the winter and spring, the dry season, when dengue cases are typically low.” However, “there is no evidence of a dengue outbreak in the continental United States.” The AP (6/25, Stobbe) reports that nonetheless, “in the 50 states so far this year there have been three times more cases than at the same point last year. Most were infections that travelers got abroad, and officials note there is no evidence of a current outbreak. But they also warn that local mosquitoes pose a threat.” The virus is “spread by a type of warm weather mosquito that is expanding its geographic reach because of climate change, experts say.” NBC News (6/25, Acevedo) reports, “A total of 2,241 cases have been reported so far this year in the U.S., including 1,498 cases in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.” Last year, the CDC reported 3,036 cases. The agency “said it’s also implementing other measures, such as improving and expanding laboratory testing to diagnose cases more effectively, as well as educating the public on the disease and how to prevent it.” Reuters (6/25, Sunny) also reports.