Cases of dengue fever have surged in Florida, with 32 new locally acquired cases reported in one week by the Florida Department of Health.
That brings the statewide total of dengue cases to 73 for the year as of Aug. 29.
The FDOH is also watching cases of West Nile virus, which prompted Brevard County to issue a mosquito-borne illness advisory Sept. 3. As of early this month, 10 counties are under either a mosquito-borne illness advisory or mosquito-borne illness alert.
Florida Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisories
FDOH compiles weekly data on the following mosquito-borne viruses in a report called “Florida Arbovirus Surveillance”:
- West Nile virus (WNV)
- Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV)
- St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV)
- Dengue virus (DENV)
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)
- Zika virus (ZIKV)
- California encephalitis group viruses (CEV)
- Malaria
A mosquito-borne illness advisory has been issued for Alachua, Duval, Leon, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco and Walton counties.
A mosquito-borne illness alert has been issued for Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Pinellas counties.
“A mosquito-borne illness advisory means the public should take precautions to reduce mosquito bites due to factors indicating local disease such as positive sentinels, very few presumptive or positive human cases, or other justifications,” according to Sarasota County.
“A mosquito-borne illness alert means that there has been heightened disease activity, a significant increase in vector (disease capable) mosquito populations, or an increase in locally-transmitted human cases. Residents should continue to take precautions, but exercise additional caution in preventing mosquito bites.”
Dengue Cases and Symptoms
According to the Florida Department of Health, as of Aug. 29, there have been 73 locally acquired cases of dengue reported, along with two cases of West Nile virus:
- Dengue: 73 cases
- 59 in Hillsborough County
- 7 in Miami-Dade County
- 1 in Palm Beach County
- 5 in Pinellas County
- West Nile: 2
- 1 in Alachua County
- 1 in Walton County
“Dengue fever can be a painful, debilitating disease but is rarely fatal,” the Florida Department of Health said. Symptoms appear three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and include:
- sudden onset of fever
- severe headache
- eye pain
- muscle and joint pain (giving the disease the nickname “breakbone fever”)
- bleeding
- gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea
“Dengue fever symptoms usually last four to seven days. The disease is often diagnosed incorrectly because the symptoms are similar to influenza and other viruses.”
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected with dengue after biting a person with the virus. Those infected mosquitoes then spread the virus to other people through bites.
The Centers for Disease Control said a woman who is infected with the dengue virus during pregnancy could pass it to her fetus, causing fetal death, low birth weight or premature birth.
West Nile and Other Symptoms
“West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes mild to severe illness,” the Florida Department of Health said. Approximately 80% of people infected with WNV will not show symptoms.
Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.
About one in 150 people infected with West Nile will develop severe illness. Symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
“These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Severe illness can also result in death,” FDOH said.
“Zika symptoms usually last for several days to a week,” FDOH said. People usually do not get sick enough to go to the hospital, so many might not realize they have been infected.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites
According to the Florida Department of Health, repellents with the following active ingredients provide the best protection:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Para-menthane-diol
- 2-undecanone, a plant-derived ingredient
The FDOH offered this advice to help keep mosquitoes away from your home:
Drain
- Drain water from garbage cans, old tires, pool covers or any other containers where water collects.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and ensure they are appropriately chlorinated.
- Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover
- If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up.
- Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
Cheryl McCloud and C. A. Bridges are journalists for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party; however, our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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