Dengue Detected In Hollywood Hills Resident, County's 11th Locally Acquired Case

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Two more locally acquired cases of the mosquito- borne illness dengue have been confirmed in Los Angeles County, including a case of illness in a Hollywood Hills resident, health officials announced Wednesday.

The other case was detected in Baldwin Park; it marks the seventh case in a cluster in that city and "indicates continued circulation of dengue in the area due to infected mosquitoes," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a release.

The second new case is a resident of Hollywood Hills. Health officials did not offer details about where that person may have been bitten by an infected mosquito, but did say the patient has no history of recent travel.

There have now been a total of 11 locally acquired cases of dengue confirmed in the county this year. Other cases have been detected in Panorama City and El Monte.

"These two additional cases raise concerns about the potential for continued local spread of dengue in our community. Healthcare providers play a critical role in promptly identifying and managing patients infected with dengue," Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, said in a statement. "Providers should consider dengue in any patient with fever and signs and symptoms of dengue including headache, eye pain, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting and order testing for dengue regardless of travel history."

Health officials said it's crucial for people living and working in the area to prioritize mosquito control and prevention measures to reduce the risk of the disease.

The first known case of locally transmitted dengue fever in LA was recorded last October.

In 2024, local transmission of dengue has also been reported in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which declared an outbreak of dengue in March.

Nationwide, there have been 4,439 confirmed, locally acquired dengue cases this year, according to CDC data.

People can be infected with the virus from an Aedes aegypti, also known as an ankle-biter mosquito. Since they were first detected in California over the last decade, they've entrenched themselves statewide.

"The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is committed to protecting residents through enhanced mosquito control measures and active public outreach," said SGVMVCD District Manager Jason Farned. "We are intensifying our efforts with targeted backpack and truck-mounted treatments, increased surveillance, and ongoing inspections to reduce adult mosquitoes in the community. Residents play a critical role in this fight by eliminating standing water on their
properties and protecting themselves with EPA-approved repellents.”

Symptoms of dengue include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches. Symptoms usually last two to seven days and most people recover after about a week, though severe and life-threatening illness can occur, PPHD said.

There are no medicines or vaccines to prevent dengue fever, and most treatment includes rest, fluids and monitoring for early signs.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District recommended people get rid of all standing water. Most mosquitos lay eggs on the surface of the water, but Aedes mosquitos lay their eggs on the sides of containers, so simply dumping out the water may not eliminate the bugs.

It's recommended that residents do away with plant saucers and keep repellent handy to help control the spread of the Aedes mosquito.

"Mosquitos thrive in hot weather, increasing the risk of bites and mosquito-borne diseases," Davis said. "People should follow these simple steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and risk for mosquito bites: 1) Use insect repellent on you and your family; 2) Remove items that hold standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs and breed; and 3) Use, install, or repair window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home."