(HealthDay News) -On Tuesday, a federal health notice which warns of an increased risk of infections with fever dengue in United States.
The alert was prompted by an unexpectedly high number of dengue cases reported across the country this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the USA, and the climate change you are only increasing the risk of future spread.
“Dengue transmission peaks during the warmest and most humid months in many tropical and subtropical regions,” the agency noted in its advisory. “Dengue cases are likely to increase as global temperatures rise.”
In United States, Puerto Rico has been the most affected: of the 2,241 cases of dengue Of the 1,498 reported nationwide this year, 1,498 occurred in the U.S. Caribbean territory. In March, a public health emergency was declared after cases of the disease Mosquito-borne disease broke historical records. For comparison, 3,036 cases of dengue were reported in all of 2023 in the US and its territories.
However, USA is not the only country dealing with the worrying spread of the dengue fever. This year, the global incidence of dengue has been the highest recorded, especially in the countries of Latin Americawhere almost 1,000 cases have been reported 9.4 million cases of dengue. That is, double that in 2023.
In recent years, dengue infections have soared amid rising temperatures around the world, creating ideal conditions for mosquitoes that spread the disease, reported NBC News. The most common symptom of the disease is fever. Other symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body pain. Although most patients recover within a week, severe cases of the disease may require hospitalization, as it can cause shock, internal bleeding, and even death..
People can get sick from dengue up to four times in their lives, once for each type of virus that can cause the disease, according to the CDC. And those who have already had a case of dengue are more likely to develop severe symptoms the second time.
The CDC alert recommends that health care providers be alert for dengue, particularly among patients with fever who have recently traveled to places where it is a endemic disease. They are also advised to promptly report any cases of dengue to public health authorities and promote mosquito bite prevention measures for their patients.
The agency added that it also is improving and expanding laboratory tests to diagnose cases more quickly and effectively, as well as educate the public about the disease and how to prevent it.
How to protect yourself against dengue? Staying in air-conditioned places when possible, using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid mosquito bites can help, the researchers said. CDC.
*More information: The World Health Organization offers more information about dengue.
*SOURCES: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health advisory, June 25, 2024; Pan American Health Organization, update, June 18, 2024; NBC News
*Robin Foster HealthDay Reporters ©The New York Times 2024
