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Cases of ‘Breakbone Fever’ Spreading Locally in Florida for First Time in 15 Years
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Florida has reported 10 locally acquired cases of dengue fever this year, including the first in Pinellas County in 15 years, with eight cases in Hillsborough County occurring within two weeks.
- Dengue fever, transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, causes severe symptoms such as fever, rash, extreme body aches, nausea, and vomiting.
- The CDC notes that most U.S. dengue cases are from travelers infected abroad, but local transmission is increasing in Florida, prompting health officials to urge preventive measures.
- To reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol, with specific guidance for young children.
- There have been 1,471 dengue cases reported in the U.S. so far this year, and the CDC issued an alert in March about a higher-than-expected number of cases among U.S. travelers.
