Dengue Confirmed In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI, FL — A locally-acquired case of Dengue has been reported in the Miami area, according to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County.

Health officials said they identified a single case of the disease and warned residents to take precautions against the mosquito-borne illness.

"There is a heightened concern of additional residents becoming ill," health officials said Tuesday, adding that Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control and the Habitat Management Division will continue to monitor the situation and initiate prevention efforts.

Dengue is spread through the bite of the same mosquitoes that spread Zika, chikungunya and other viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only about one in four people infected with dengue ever get sick. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often require hospitalization in severe case.

The CDC said the most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)

The symptoms of dengue typically last anywhere from two to seven days. Most people recover after about a week, according to the CDC.

Miami-Dade health officials suggested that residents cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes from entering their homes.

Health officials gave the following tips for mosquito prevention:

• Drain water from garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice per week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don't accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Cover all skin with clothing or repellent.
• Wear shoes, socks and long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
• Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol and IR3535 are effective.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2-months-old.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses visit the Florida Department of Health website in Miami-Dade County.