Dengue Fever Cases Continue To Rise In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI, FL — The total number of local cases of dengue fever in Miami-Dade County in 2019 now stands at 14 as state health officials on Monday reported that a mosquito-borne illness alert remains in effect for the county.

"Two cases of dengue fever of local transmission have been confirmed in Miami-Dade residents," state health officials said. "These cases are geographically linked to a travel-related case."

Health officials warned Miami-Dade residents and visitors to take precautions.

"Dengue is a virus spread through mosquito bites through the Aedes mosquitoes which also spread chikungunya and Zika virus," health officials said. "Most people infected with dengue have mild or no symptoms. Those that do develop symptoms recover after about one week."

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 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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)

Miami-Dade health officials suggested 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.