Back in 2016, I reported that cases of dengue fever were being reported in Florida and Hawaii. Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people and is more common in tropical and subtropical climates. It has not been common for Americans to become infected unless they were traveling abroad.
Last week, I shared the news that Florida health officials issued a dengue fever alert after a second case of a locally-obtained infection was reported in the Keys and several more were reported in Miami-Dade county.
Now comes news that “Breakbone Fever” is breaking out all across the Nation’s East Coast, as nearly 200 New York and New Jersey residents have been diagnosed with the disease.
At least 143 New York residents and 41 people in the Garden State have been infected with the virus as of July 2, according to the CDC’s most recent data — with New York, Kings, Queens, Suffolk and Westchester counties reporting the most cases.Everyone who has reported contracting the virus had recently traveled, according to the CDC, though the agency did not specify where. It also noted that there’s so far no evidence to suggest there has been any person-to-person transmission within the states.
Case numbers are surging all throughout North and South America.
Around 400 million people are infected with dengue each year globally, of whom some 40,000 die of severe forms of the virus, according to the CDC.Dengue cases have spiked globally following the COVID-19 pandemic, including record numbers of cases recorded in the Americas.Last year, 4.6 million cases and 4,000 deaths were reported in the region. As of June 24 this year, that figure had already more than doubled with 9.7 million cases.
In this country, it is difficult to say how many infections have been acquired “locally” from the bite of the region’s mosquitos. In Massachusetts, for example, 55 “travelers” are reported to have dengue.
Those numbers included 55 “travelers” to Massachusetts, 10 of that total residing in Norfolk County. According to Franklin Health Director Cathleen Liberty, no cases have been reported in Franklin. The CDC did not specify whether the travelers were Massachusetts residents returning from abroad or newly arrived individuals.
Four cases have also been reported in South Carolina.
Dengue is also now making inroads into the Midwest, as 27 cases are now recorded in Illinois.
While the virus is normally not fatal in healthy adults, young children and seniors are most at risk for serious cases, and their treatment options are limited.
The virus may cause nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle aches, joint pain, bone pain, pain behind the eyes, headache, or low white blood cell counts. Those at increased risk include children younger than a year old, pregnant women, and adults aged over 65 years.“There are no antiviral medications approved to treat dengue,” the CDC said in its warning.Instead, the CDC advises acetaminophens every 6 hours, sponge baths, and lots of water to prevent dehydration.If there is a decrease in urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes, listlessness, agitation, or confusion, fast heartbeat, and cold or clammy fingers and toes the patient should go to the emergency room. The fever usually lasts two to seven days.
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