The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a new warning about an increased risk of dengue virus infections as a “record number” of cases are reported in the Americas.
From January 1st to June 24th this year, more than 9.7 million cases of dengue have been recorded among countries in the Americas, which is more than double the 4.6 million infections recorded throughout 2023, according to the CDC.
“The global incidence of dengue in 2024 was the highest ever recorded for this calendar year; many countries are reporting higher than usual numbers of dengue cases,” the report also said. “In 2024, countries in the Americas reported a record number of dengue cases, surpassing the highest number ever recorded in a single year.”
The CDC describes the dengue virus as the “most common” mosquito-borne illness in the world. In the United States, Florida has reported the highest number of cases so far this year with 197, followed by New York with 134, Massachusetts with 50 and California with 40.
TIGER MOSQUITOES ACCUSED OF SPREADING DENGUE
The CDC says a “record” number of dengue virus infections have been recorded in the Americas so far this year. (iStock)
“Six U.S. territories and freely associated states are classified as areas of frequent or continuous dengue transmission: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.” , specifies the press release. »adds the CDC.
The health agency says one in four dengue infections are symptomatic, with effects including fever and “nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, bone pain, pain behind the eyes, headache, or low white blood cell count.”
“Severe illness, associated with severe bleeding, shock, or respiratory distress caused by plasma leak or target organ deficiency, develops in 1 in 20 people with symptomatic dengue fever,” according to the CDC .
PUERTO RICO HEALTH OFFICIALS DECLARE DENGUE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
Tiger mosquitoes are blamed for the recent spread of the dengue virus in Europe. (iStock)
It states that infants under one year of age, pregnant women and adults over 65 years of age are at “increased risk of severe dengue fever” and that “transmission peaks during the hottest, most humid months in many areas.” many tropical and subtropical regions.
There is currently no medication to treat dengue, says the CDC.
A worker is seen releasing smoke during a fumigation campaign against the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito, a transmitter of the dengue virus, on June 24, in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Aphotography/Getty Images)
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Infected people are advised to rest, take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay hydrated and seek medical attention.
Melissa Rudy of Fox News contributed to this report.
