Dengue Fever Cases Surge in the US: A New Normal?

Health officials in the US are alarmed by a significant rise in dengue fever cases, particularly in California, Florida, and Texas. The CDC reports nearly 3,700 new infections last year, nearly doubling from 2023. This surge includes locally acquired cases, indicating that dengue may become a permanent issue in these regions. The spread is attributed to the aggressive expansion of Aedes mosquitoes, which thrive in warm urban areas. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the situation, leading to a potential new normal for dengue fever in the United States. The CDC has issued health alerts to raise awareness about the ongoing risks.
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Dengue Fever Cases Surge in the US: A New Normal?

Rising Dengue Fever Cases in the US


Sacramento (United States), July 3: Health authorities in California, Florida, and Texas are facing a concerning trend as dengue fever cases nearly double across the nation, indicating that this mosquito-borne illness may become a regular occurrence in these regions, as reported by health news outlets.


The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that approximately 3,700 new dengue infections were documented last year in the contiguous United States, a significant rise from around 2,050 cases in 2023, according to KFF Health News.


This increase includes 105 locally acquired cases in California, Florida, and Texas, rather than those contracted during international travel.


California experienced the most significant rise, reporting 725 new dengue cases in 2024, with 18 of those being locally acquired. This marks a nearly threefold increase from about 250 cases, including two local infections, in 2023, as per state data cited by Xinhua news agency.


Dengue is transmitted through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have aggressively expanded their range.


The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species, responsible for spreading dengue, were not present in California 25 years ago but are now found in 25 counties and over 400 cities and unincorporated areas, primarily in Southern California and the Central Valley.


Michael Ben-Aderet, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, stated that dengue fever has likely become a "new normal" in the United States, highlighting that the mosquito population is expected to persist.


He attributed the growth of the mosquito population to climate change, noting that these insects thrive in warm urban environments and are often active during the day.


In March, the CDC issued a health alert regarding the ongoing risk of dengue infections.


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