A Disease Once Confined to the Tropics Just Saw a 359% Surge in the US
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- In 2024, the U.S. reported nearly 4,000 dengue cases, a record high and a 359% increase from the 2010-2023 average, with most cases linked to travel but local transmission rising.
- Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease causing flu-like symptoms and severe complications in some cases, is spread by Aedes mosquitoes whose range is expanding in the U.S. and globally.
- Over 100 locally acquired dengue cases were recorded in 2024 across multiple counties in Florida, California, and Texas, indicating multiple virus introductions rather than a single outbreak.
- The CDC warns of increasing dengue risk in the U.S. due to widespread presence of Aedes mosquitoes and suitable climate in many counties, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance, vector control, and public health preparedness.
- Globally, dengue cases reached a historic high of over 14 million in 2024, more than double the previous year's record, with the majority occurring in the Americas.