Dengue fever has sparked significant conversation, especially regarding its potential spread to the United States. For those in Florida worried about the threat of Dengue fever reaching their community, the good news is that the risk is highly unlikely.
Understanding this concern is valid, we have assembled this article to offer critical insights about Dengue fever, including its transmission methods and symptoms.
How Is Dengue Fever Transmitted?
Dengue fever is transmitted when an Aedes mosquito bites an infected human and becomes a carrier. Dengue fever is not transmitted from person to person. Transmission in areas where dengue fever is only a high risk in areas that already have many cases of infection.
While Aedes mosquito exists in many places because dengue is not present it significantly reduces the risk of transmission. Mosquitoes have very short lives which further decreases chances of infection.
What is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands. There are an estimated 100 to 400 million Dengue infections annually. Fortunately, many of these infections are asymptomatic, but Dengue leads to severe illness in about 500,000 people and death in about 40,000 people every year.
Symptoms of Dengue fever include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Mild bleeding and easy bruising
Should You Be Concerned About Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever has a presence in over 100 countries across continents like Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. With 100 to 400 million cases of Dengue infection reported annually worldwide, the disease remains a significant health concern. Although many Dengue infections are without symptoms, the disease can escalate to severe conditions or death in approximately 500,000 and 40,000 individuals respectively each year.
While these numbers can be intimidating it's important to know that there were less than 500 cases of dengue in the US in 2023. The CDC tracks cases of Dengue fever so for further research we recommend looking at their recent publications.
Mosquito Control Experts in Florida
Despite Dengue fever's significant impact globally, the risk of encountering it in Florida remains minimal. Nonetheless, for those concerned about local mosquito populations, Dixon Pest Services offers dependable mosquito control solutions. Our expertise is dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of your home and community, effectively mitigating the risks associated with mosquitoes. Contact us for a free consultation.