Two circumstances of regionally acquired dengue fever – a mosquito-borne sickness – have been confirmed within the Florida Keys, the Florida Division of Health in Monroe County introduced earlier this week.
The Monroe Division of Health and the Florida Keys Mosquito Management District (FKMCD) are upping their surveillance and prevention efforts as circumstances come up, the discover stated.
These measures embrace door-to-door mosquito inspections within the space, enhanced trapping and monitoring, and aerial and truck-mounted larvicide and adulticide remedies.
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Dengue fever may cause flu-like signs that embrace extreme muscle aches, joint ache, fever and rashes, based on the alert.
Dengue fever isn’t contagious and might solely be unfold by an contaminated mosquito. Signs can seem inside 14 days of being bitten.
The Florida Keys has confirmed two regionally acquired circumstances of mosquito-borne dengue fever. (iStock)
DOH-Monroe reminded residents to take primary precautions in opposition to mosquito bites, together with carrying bug repellent on pores and skin and clothes, holding screens on home windows, utilizing air-con within the residence, and holding doorways and home windows closed when potential.
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FKMCD additionally launched a press release encouraging property homeowners to forestall mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating standing water.
This may be achieved by turning over and eradicating empty pots, buckets, trash cans, recycling bins, pet bowls and kids’s toys that gather water.
Sporting lengthy sleeves and pants and making use of bug spray may also help forestall mosquito bites. (iStock)
The group additionally beneficial checking tarps on boats or different tools, in addition to gutters, to verify they’re away from particles.
Property homeowners are additionally inspired to flush contemporary water via hanging crops and chicken baths.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the Florida well being division for added remark.
“There are at present no vaccines in america in opposition to mosquito-transmitted viruses, nor are there many remedies.”
“Private safety stays of us’ finest guess to cease the unfold of mosquito-borne ailments, and vector-borne ailments extra broadly,” Joe Fauver, PhD, epidemiologist on the College of Nebraska Medical Middle, advised Fox Information Digital.
“There are at present no vaccines in america in opposition to mosquito-transmitted viruses, nor are there many remedies.”
Highest on file
Simply earlier than the native Floridian outbreak, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) issued an official well being advisory for an elevated danger of dengue fever an infection.
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The company reported on June 25 that the worldwide incidence of dengue in 2024 is the best on file.
The World Health Group (WHO) recorded greater than 7.6 million international dengue fever infections within the first 4 months of 2024.
World well being companies have reported excessive numbers of dengue fever infections in 2024. (iStock)
The CDC suggested well being care suppliers to be looking out for dengue signs and to order acceptable diagnostic checks.
Throughout an look on FOX Enterprise’ “Varney & Co.” on Tuesday, Johns Hopkins College of Medication professor Dr. Marty Makary stated the an infection is taken into account “harmful,” however to not the extent of “one other pandemic.”
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“It’s endemic in lots of tropical and heat nations,” he stated.
Dengue fever, which has been reported in about 38 U.S. states, can include a attribute eye ache and rash, based on the physician.
Florida officers say the yellow fever mosquito (aedes aegypti) is responsible for dengue transmission. (iStock)
Though there are checks obtainable, Makary confirmed there isn’t any identified therapy for dengue.
“It’s reminder to attempt to do what you may to scale back mosquito bites, particularly within the southern United States, the place that is extra frequent,” he suggested.
‘Invasive’ and ‘aggressive’ mosquitoes
Whereas Florida authorities have recognized the yellow fever (Aedes aegypti) mosquito because the wrongdoer in spreading dengue, the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC) beforehand warned that tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) may also carry the an infection.
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Elitza Theel, PhD, director of Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Minnesota, confirmed that tiger mosquitoes are a “identified vector” for dengue fever and might transmit the virus to people who haven’t beforehand been contaminated.
“This mosquito species is regarding for various causes, together with that it’s thought of probably the most invasive species on this planet,” she advised Fox Information Digital final month.
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The mosquito species is shifting additional and additional north globally as temperatures develop hotter, the professional stated.
“Tiger mosquitoes are additionally reasonably aggressive, biting each people and animals at any time of the day, reasonably than simply at daybreak or nightfall, which is typical of different mosquito species,” Theel warned.
Aedes albopictus, the “tiger” mosquito, can survive in cooler climates, based on specialists. (iStock)
Fauver warned that the tiger mosquito can unfold many “problematic arboviruses (arthropod-borne virueses),” together with dengue, Zika and chikungunya.
“The mosquito is a generalist feeder and can gladly take bloodmeals from people, doubtlessly exposing them to those arboviruses,” he advised Fox Information Digital.
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“Aedes albopictus is an invasive species and is at present present process speedy vary growth and establishing populations in areas it beforehand wasn’t, together with Europe and the U.S.”
Health officers have claimed that local weather change is likely one of the elements contributing to the unfold of those bugs.
Fox Information Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
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