Texas confirms dengue fever instances amid world surge
Texas has confirmed 10 instances of dengue fever as U.S. well being officers urge warning in opposition to the mosquito-borne illness amid a historic world surge this summer season.
The Texas Division of State Well being Providers mentioned all 10 instances to this point in 2024 got here from worldwide journey however warned {that a} small variety of folks in recent times have gotten sick from mosquitoes in southern Texas. The division additionally famous that heavy, widespread rainfall from Hurricane Beryl earlier this month left behind standing water that created situations for mosquitoes to multiply and urged folks engaged on storm cleanup to guard themselves from insect bites.
“Sadly, many mosquitoes in Texas are able to spreading ailments, similar to West Nile and dengue. These ailments are sometimes gentle, however some folks will develop extreme sickness,” mentioned Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the state well being division. “So, it’s important for Texans to know learn how to shield themselves in opposition to mosquito bites.”
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention issued a well being advisory earlier this summer season concerning the unfold, noting globally reported instances have reached the very best complete on document in 2024.
A record-high 2,559 instances of dengue have been reported throughout 45 U.S. states and territories to this point in 2024, together with 218 in Florida, 143 in New York and 40 in California, based on the CDC. Puerto Rico declared a public well being emergency after 1,498 instances of dengue have been reported. The CDC warns instances are more likely to rise because the world continues to warmth up.
Dengue throughout the U.S.
The nationwide variety of dengue infections has already surpassed final yr’s complete of 1,848 instances, which was the very best tally since no less than 2010, based on the CDC. Circumstances drastically fell within the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic however have since resurged. The CDC warns scorching, moist climate might gas breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, particularly because the summer season season overlaps with heightened U.S. journey overseas.
Throughout the globe, greater than 10 million dengue instances and 5,000 deaths have been reported from 80 nations and territories because the starting of 2024, based on the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management. Nations within the Americas have accounted for a lot of the reported instances at 9.7 million to this point this yr, based on CDC knowledge, twice as many because the 4.6 million instances reported in 2023.
Simply in Texas, the well being division mentioned 79 instances of dengue swept the state final yr, together with one domestically acquired case in Val Verde County. Division spokesperson Lara Anton confirmed to USA TODAY that no associated deaths have been reported in 2023.
Dengue indicators and security ideas
About 1 in 4 folks contaminated with dengue will get sick, based on the CDC. Extreme instances may be life-threatening inside hours and require hospital care, and folks can get sick inside two weeks of a chew from an contaminated mosquito.
Dengue could cause fever, nausea, vomiting, complications and rashes. It could additionally trigger ache within the eyes, joints, bones and muscle tissue.
About 1 in 20 instances are extreme, which may result in shock, inside bleeding and dying. Signs can change into extreme inside hours.
Warning indicators of extreme dengue often start inside 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone away. The CDC urges folks to instantly go to a hospital if they’ve the next signs:
- Stomach ache or tenderness
- Vomiting (no less than 3 occasions in 24 hours)
- Bleeding from the nostril or gums
- Vomiting blood, or blood within the stool
- Feeling extraordinarily drained or stressed
The CDC says one of the best ways to forestall dengue is to guard your self from mosquito bites:
- Use insect repellent
- Put on loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Use air con and window screens to forestall mosquito bites indoors
- Dump out containers of water close to your own home to eradicate breeding grounds
- Be vigilant for those who plan to journey to an space experiencing a dengue outbreak
- Search medical care when you have signs of dengue and have lately traveled to an space with an outbreak
