U.S. health officials are warning doctors to watch out for dengue, a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. Dengue cases are breaking records worldwide, partly because of climate change.
Dengue isn’t common in the mainland United States, but cases are increasing. Most people who get it in the U.S. caught it while traveling abroad. However, local mosquitoes could spread it too.
Many people who get infected don’t feel sick, but some get headaches, fever, and flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, it can cause serious bleeding and even death.
There are four types of dengue virus. Getting infected with one type protects you from that type for life, but can make a second infection with a different type worse.
Global warming is contributing to the spread of dengue, because the mosquitoes that carry it can live in more places.
There’s no widely available medicine to treat dengue. Vaccines exist, but they’re tricky. One vaccine is only recommended for children 9-16 who have had dengue before and live where it’s common.
So far this year, the U.S. and its territories have had about 1,500 dengue cases, mostly in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency in March because of dengue.
Worldwide, there were over 6.6 million dengue infections reported last year. In just the first four months of this year, there have already been 7.9 million cases and 4,000 deaths reported globally.
Doctors are being told to learn the symptoms of dengue, ask patients about their recent travels, and consider testing for dengue when appropriate.
The spread of dengue is becoming a big concern for international travel and tourism. Some countries worry that dengue outbreaks might scare away visitors.