Map Shows States Where Dengue Fever Cases Have Risen After Florida Outbreak - Newsweek

Following the dengue fever outbreak in Florida, which health officials are describing as the largest outbreak in the continental United States in decades, dengue fever cases have increased across a number of U.S. states in recent days, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The data shows that the number of reported cases has risen in at least 15 states, with Florida accounting for the largest share of the increase.

The rise in national case numbers comes as Florida deals with an ongoing dengue outbreak that has drawn attention from public health officials.

Florida has recorded hundreds of dengue infections this year, including a significant number of locally acquired cases, meaning people were infected within the state rather than while traveling abroad.

The outbreak has been concentrated in the Tampa Bay region and has resulted in emergency declarations in several counties.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

According to the CDC, symptoms can include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle pain, and joint pain. Most infections are mild, and many people develop no symptoms at all.

However, some patients can develop severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause shock, severe bleeding, and organ failure.

Public health experts have linked rising dengue activity in the United States to several factors, including international travel and the presence of Aedes mosquitoes, which are capable of transmitting the virus.

Dengue is common in many tropical and subtropical regions. When travelers return to the United States while infected, local mosquito populations can sometimes spread the virus to other people.

The latest CDC data show reported case counts have risen since the agency's previous update.

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30448290/

Florida posted by far the largest increase, with cases rising from 392 to 485, an increase of 93 cases.

California recorded the second-largest increase, rising from 31 to 45 cases, an increase of 14.

Overall, the states listed in the CDC updates recorded a rise of 130 cases between the reporting periods.

Health officials continue to urge residents to reduce mosquito exposure by using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes can breed.

The latest CDC data suggest dengue activity remains elevated in Florida and is continuing to increase in a number of other states.

While most U.S. cases are associated with travel, the Florida outbreak has demonstrated how quickly local transmission can develop when the virus is introduced into areas where dengue-carrying mosquitoes are present.

Newsweek has contacted the CDC via email for comment and is awaiting a response.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Cristina Diciu.