Dengue fever cases on the rise

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With increased travel to and from warmer climates, concerns regarding the mosquito-borne disease known as dengue fever are rising.

Dengue viruses are spread by the bites of infected female Aedes or yellow fever mosquitos.

Most symptoms are identical to infections like influenza and the coronavirus, with nausea, vomiting, rashes, muscle pains and headache being the most common.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control sent out an advisory detailing that more cases of dengue fever have been detected. Most of the recorded cases have been traced back to warmer areas of the U.S. along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Among the mosquito-related viruses, dengue is the most common on a global scale. The disease is contracted from mosquito bites and results from one of the four different but similar dengue viruses (dengue-1, -2, -3, and -4).

In 2024, nearly 13 million cases of dengue were diagnosed worldwide.

The high number of cases in 2024 and the surge this year are believed to be linked to global warming, with more infected mosquitoes being found in warmer locations.

"I believe because of global warming, every year it's getting warmer, it's bringing more mosquitos," Kristi Billings, a St. Joseph community health nurse, said. "Our seasons are not as defined as they used to be and so I think that's encouraging the mosquito population."

The CDC declared the higher number of dengue cases as a level 1 health alert, recommending that people practice standard health procedures. Those practices include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing when outside and sleeping in rooms with screened windows or air conditioning.

There isn't a specific medication to treat dengue fever and vaccines for the virus are only available in countries with higher prevalences.