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 without traveling abroad.
In July, I shared the news that Florida health officials issued a dengue fever alert after a second case of a locally acquired infection was reported in the Keys and several more were reported in Miami-Dade County, and that 200 New York and New Jersey residents have been diagnosed with “break-bone Fever.”
Now there are reports of an ‘unprecedented cluster’ of locally acquired dengue fever in Los Angeles County.
Two more cases of the mosquito-borne dengue virus were confirmed Wednesday in Baldwin Park, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.Including the case announced last week, the three cases make up an “unprecedented number of locally transmitted cases for a region where dengue has not previously been transmitted by mosquitoes,” the department said.The two latest victims of the virus had no history of travel to regions where dengue is endemic before they started showing symptoms, officials said.“Ensuring the health and safety of our community is our top priority,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said. “The recent discovery of dengue cases in Baldwin Park underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures.”
Usually, those who contract dengue have traveled to a tropical area where infected Aedes mosquitoes are present. The cluster is concerning because these are cases where there has been no known travel outside the US.
So far this year, 82 cases have been reported in LA County by people returning from traveling abroad, health officials said.But the three locally-acquired cases are particularly concerning, they added.”These additional cases of local virus transmission are a stark reminder for all Los Angeles County residents that simple steps to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites can lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and prevent more sustained transmission in the future,” health officials stressed in the notice.
Individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including Fever, rash, muscle aches, headache, and the bone pain for which the disease is most known. One-in-twenty infected people can develop life-threatening effects due to infection. People can get multiple infections with the dengue virus, and each infection increases the risk of more serious symptoms arising.
There is no current treatment for dengue, and public health officials are focused on providing information on how to reduce the risks of getting bitten by mosquitos.
“We remind residents that mosquitoes breed in standing water,” said Jason Farned, MPA, District Manager of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control DistrictMosquito samples so far remain dengue-free. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District staff are going door-to-door in areas where the cases occurred to show residents how to protect themselves and rid their homes of mosquitoes.”Granting access to your backyards will significantly enhance our ability to reduce mosquito populations and prevent potential infections,” said Farned.Dengue vaccines are not approved for U.S. residents nor travelers. Instead, health officials encourage use of bug repellents containing at least one of these four ingredients: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, DEET, Picaridin or IR3535.
Peak mosquito season in southern California is June through November. So while the East Coast is winding down from the dengue drama, the West Coast may be in the middle of its “break-bone fever” season.
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