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Los Angeles health officials have confirmed a new case of the mosquito-borne dengue fever, bringing the total number of cases this year to four.
The latest case was confirmed in Panorama City, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement last week. The patient had no history of travel to areas where dengue fever is endemic, the department said.
County health officials have confirmed the following dengue cases since fall 2023:
Dr. Muntu Davis with the Los Angeles County Department of Health called the latest community case numbers “unprecedented in Los Angeles County” and said the best way to stop the spread of the disease is to limit mosquito bites and mosquito breeding. It said in a news release that it would do so.
“Use insect repellents to prevent mosquito bites, remove standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed, and close doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. “Using or securing screens are simple steps that anyone can take to significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease, both for you and your neighbors.” He spoke about the disease in a release.
What is the cause of this increase in the number of infected people?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said the increase in dengue cases is not just happening in Los Angeles.
“Dengue fever cases are increasing around the world,” the government agency wrote in an email Wednesday evening, adding that the disease is commonly spread by a species called Aedes aegypti.
It was first discovered in Los Angeles County in 2011 and is now present in nearly every city in the county.
“What we see in Los Angeles County in 2024 reflects the global increase in dengue transmission in areas where Aedes aegypti is endemic and where there are many travelers from areas where dengue is persistently or frequently endemic. ” the authorities said.
According to the bureau, rising temperatures may also be a factor. These high temperatures allow Aedes mosquitoes to breed in places they previously couldn’t. Rising temperatures can also affect the rate at which mosquitoes reproduce, become infectious, and bite patterns.
“All these factors may contribute to an increase in mosquito numbers and an increased risk of localized dengue spread,” the ministry said.
What is dengue fever?
According to the Mayo Clinic, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that is typically endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease can cause high fever and flu-like symptoms.
The Department of Public Health said in a news release that infected people with fever may experience severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash and mild bleeding.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this fever is caused by one of four dengue viruses, but being around an infected person will not cause it. The disease is spread by mosquito bites, usually from mosquitoes in areas where humans live.
“When a mosquito bites a person infected with the dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito,” Mayo Clinic said on its website. “Then, when an infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream and causes an infection.”
The clinic says that once a person recovers from a fever, they usually have long-term immunity to the type of virus they were infected with. You can still get infected again with any of the other three viruses. A second, third, or fourth infection can lead to severe dengue fever.
Severe dengue fever can cause shock, severe bleeding and severe organ damage, the Department of Public Health said in a news release.
There are no specific drugs used to treat dengue fever, but there are some “adjunctive medications that relieve fever and pain,” the public health agency said.
One dengue vaccine now available in dengue risk areas in the United States
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is one vaccine available for use in areas at risk for dengue fever in the United States. However, the CDC has specific recommendations for who should and should not receive the dengue vaccine.
How can I protect myself from dengue fever?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends the following precautions:
Wear an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, 2-undecanone, and lemon eucalyptus oil. It is the longest lasting and most effective and comes in spray, wipe and lotion form. Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors. Make sure your home’s doors and windows have solid screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Please repair or replace. Screen with tears and holes. Remove standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Remove standing water from flower pots, saucers, birdhouses, and other outdoor containers. Cover water storage containers such as buckets and rain barrels. If the container does not have a lid, use a wire mesh with holes smaller than adult mosquitoes. Clean pools and spas and drain water from pool covers. Throw away old patio and garden items that can collect water, such as old car tires and children’s tires. toys. Report ongoing problems to the Mosquito Control District by calling 2-1-1 or your local vector control department.
Measures health authorities are taking to protect local residents
The Department of Public Health is working with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Vector Virus Control District to visit residents in neighborhoods where cases have been reported. There, representatives teach residents how to protect themselves.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Vector Management District has also increased mosquito trapping to reduce the potential spread of dengue fever.
If you have questions, please call your local clinic or doctor or the Public Health Information Line at 1-833-540-0473. This line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Follow her on Twitter.@SaleenMartin Or email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
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