Rare Case Of Dengue Fever Reported In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — The second-ever case of locally transmitted dengue fever was recorded in Long Beach, Health Department officials announced Wednesday.

Dengue fever is extremely rare on the West Coast, and until last month, it's only ever been linked to international travelers returning from countries where dengue is found. The first locally-transmitted case in California was documented in Pasadena on Oct. 20.

“We are working closely with health officials to do everything we can to prevent more cases. We ask that everyone do their part by removing any standing water on their property to help us control the mosquitoes in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Rex Richardson.

According to the Long Beach Health Department, the infected person has recovered at home and no additional cases were identified. The risk of local exposure remains low, according to the health department, and officials are carefully monitoring the situation and have educated healthcare providers on the symptoms of dengue.

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, the health department said.

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

People can be infected with the virus from a newly arrived 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.

"Outreach teams are visiting the neighborhood where dengue was identified to provide information on mosquito bite prevention and ways to control mosquito breeding around the home," said Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis. "Health Department staff continue to trap and test mosquitoes in nearby areas to look for infected mosquitoes and are intensifying efforts to reduce breeding and control mosquito populations."

Atypical of other mosquitos that usually go for just one bite at dawn or dusk, Aedes mosquitos are aggressive and love to bite people during the day according to Aaron Arugay, Executive Director of Los Angeles County West Vector Control.

These mosquitos breed quicker in smaller containers than others. Their eggs can be found in any container with standing water, even something as tiny as a bottlecap.

"Anything that can hold water could be a breeding ground for the mosquitos," Arugay said. "A person could have 25 planters in their backyards and every single saucer could hold these mosquitos."

To date, the Vector Control team has not found any mosquitos that have tested positive for dengue.