The Florida Department of Health has revealed that two new cases of dengue were reported last week in Miami-Dade County. This brings the total number of dengue cases in the state this year to 16. Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties are currently under a mosquito-borne illness alert based on the state’s latest arbovirus surveillance report.
The surveillance report also noted that a person discovered they had the West Nile virus during the week of July 14 to July 20 while attempting to donate blood. This is the first West Nile virus case and the latest arbovirus surveillance report in Florida this year. While 278 cases of dengue have been reported from people who traveled abroad, only 16 cases of dengue were locally transmitted.
Miami-Dade County, which saw a significant outbreak last year, continues to be a hotspot for dengue. In 2023, Miami-Dade accounted for 156 out of 176 dengue cases reported in Florida. The state’s monitoring shows that the West Nile virus has been detected in several counties, including Duval, Hillsborough, Polk, St. Lucie, and Walton. Although West Nile virus has been found in asymptomatic blood donors, health officials are closely monitoring these areas due to positive tests in chickens used for surveillance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on June 25 about the heightened risk of dengue infections. Florida, along with Puerto Rico, is currently experiencing the highest number of dengue cases in the United States.
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Dengue symptoms, which can last from two to seven days, include pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Severe symptoms, such as internal bleeding, can be fatal and occur in about 5% of cases. Experts recommend using insect repellent and wearing loose-fitting clothes that cover the body to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. These precautions are crucial in preventing dengue and West Nile virus infections.
