A rise in the number of dengue cases has sparked a virus alert in parts of Florida following a rise in cases across the state. 

Broward County, the home of Fort Lauderdale, has joined Miami-Dade County in raising an alert as the illness continues to spread.

Florida’s Department of Health reported two cases of the infection in Broward County’s arbovirus surveillance report, which covers dates between July 30 and August 5.

There have been 10 cases of locally-acquired dengue reported in Florida so far this year, with the majority coming in Miami-Dade County in July. 

‘Ten cases have been serotyped by PCR,’ wrote the Department of Health in Florida. 

Broward County, the home of Fort Lauderdale, has joined Miami-Dade County in raising an alert as the illness continues to spread. Pictured: Fort Lauderdale beach in Florida (File image)

Broward County, the home of Fort Lauderdale, has joined Miami-Dade County in raising an alert as the illness continues to spread. Pictured: Fort Lauderdale beach in Florida (File image)

Although mosquitoes are commonly known for spreading the disease of malaria, they are also responsible for emitting the lesser-known strain of dengue. Pictured: a yellow-fever mosquito sucking blood

Although mosquitoes are commonly known for spreading the disease of malaria, they are also responsible for emitting the lesser-known strain of dengue. Pictured: a yellow-fever mosquito sucking blood

What is dengue? 

  • Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
  • About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year.
  • Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
  • Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in 1–2 weeks.

Symptoms include: 

  • high fever (40°C/104°F)
  • severe headache
  • pain behind the eyes
  • muscle and joint pains
  • swollen glands

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‘In 2022, there were two locally acquired dengue cases,’ the department in Broward County added. 

The alert has also been raised as a precaution after nearly 200 cases in total have been reported across Florida this year. 

They were contracted by individuals who were known to have a history of travel to a dengue-endemic area in the two weeks before it spread around the state.

The department noted that 10 of those cases were reported in non-Florida residents, with one case even being classified as severe dengue. 

Although mosquitoes are commonly known for spreading the disease of malaria, they are also responsible for emitting the lesser-known strain of dengue. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): ‘Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes speciesmosquito. Almost half of the world’s population, about 4 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue.

‘A dengue vaccine is approved for use in children aged 9 to 16 years with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue virus infection and living in areas where dengue is endemic (common). Endemic areas include some U.S. territories and freely associated states,’ it adds. 

The CDC says there have been 225 dengue cases reported across the US so far in 2023. 

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