2024 has already been a big year for dengue across the globe, and increased cases in the U.S. have prompted federal health officials to put out a health alert warning of the increased threat.
In the United States, Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency, recording 1,498 cases to date this year. Higher-than-expected number of dengue cases have been identified among U.S. travelers, 745 conformed cases, from January 1 – June 24, 2024. From January 1 – June 24, 2024, countries in the Americas reported more than 9.7 million dengue cases, twice as many as in all of 2023 (4.6 million cases).
Dengue is common in six US territories and freely associated states including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Sporadic locally acquired dengue cases have been been detected in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Arizona, and California.
Global incidence of dengue in 2024 has been the highest on record for this calendar year; many countries are reporting higher-than-usual dengue case numbers. In 2024, countries in the Americas have reported a record-breaking number of dengue cases, already exceeding the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
The alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) tells healthcare providers, public health authorities and the public of an increased risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections in the United States.
Healthcare Providers Should Be Alert to Possible Dengue Infections
In the setting of increased global and domestic incidence of dengue, healthcare providers should take steps including:
- Have increased suspicion of dengue among people with fever who have been in areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission within 14 days before illness onset.
- Order appropriate diagnostic tests for acute DENV infection: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and IgM antibody tests, or non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen tests and IgM antibody tests.
- Ensure timely reporting of dengue cases to public health authorities.
- Promote mosquito bite prevention measures among people living in or visiting areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission.
Dengue is the Most Common Mosquito-Borne Disease Worldwide
According to the CDC, almost half of the world’s population, about 4 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue.
- Dengue viruses are usually spread to people through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes.
- A person infected with dengue during pregnancy can pass the virus to their fetus.
- Some evidence suggests that dengue can be spread through sexual contact.
- Insect repellent and mosquito control and the primary tools to prevent dengue infections.
The CDC has a number of Dengue Resources to help the public understand the risks at home and abroad and advice on preventing infections.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention