Two locally-sourced cases of dengue fever — a mosquito-borne illness — have been confirmed in the Florida Keys, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County announced earlier this week.
The Monroe Health Department and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) are increasing surveillance and prevention efforts as cases emerge, the advisory said.
These measures include door-to-door mosquito inspections in the region, enhanced trapping and surveillance, and aerial and truck-mounted larvicide and adulticide treatments.
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Dengue fever can cause flu-like symptoms, including severe muscle aches, joint pain, fever and rash, the alert said.
Dengue fever is not contagious and can only be transmitted by an infected mosquito. Symptoms can appear within 14 days of the bite.
The Florida Keys have confirmed two local cases of mosquito-borne dengue fever. (iStock)
DOH-Monroe reminded residents to take basic precautions against mosquito bites, including wearing insect repellent on skin and clothing, keeping screens on windows, using air conditioning in the home and keeping doors and windows closed when possible.
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The FKMCD also issued a statement encouraging homeowners to prevent mosquito breeding by eliminating standing water.
This can be done by turning over and removing empty pots, buckets, trash cans, recycling bins, pet bowls and children’s toys that collect water.
Wearing long sleeves and pants and applying insect repellent can help prevent mosquito bites. (iStock)
The group also recommended checking tarps on boats or other equipment, as well as gutters, to make sure they are free of debris.
Homeowners are also encouraged to drain fresh water through hanging plants and bird baths.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Florida Department of Health for additional comment.
“There is currently no vaccine in the United States against mosquito-borne viruses, and there are not many treatments either.”
“Personal protection remains the best way for people to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases more generally,” Joe Fauver, PhD, an epidemiologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
“There is currently no vaccine in the United States against mosquito-borne viruses, and there are not many treatments either.”
The highest level ever recorded
Just before the local outbreak in Florida, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an official health advisory regarding an increased risk of dengue infection.
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The agency reported on June 25 that the global incidence of dengue in 2024 is the highest ever recorded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 7.6 million dengue infections worldwide in the first four months of 2024.
Global health agencies have reported a high number of dengue infections in 2024. (iStock)
The CDC has advised health care providers to be alert for symptoms of dengue fever and seek appropriate diagnostic testing.
During an appearance on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” Tuesday, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor Dr. Marty Makary said the infection is considered “dangerous,” but not at the level of “another pandemic.”
CDC warns of mosquito-borne virus as cases rise
“It is an endemic disease in many tropical and hot countries,” he said.
Dengue fever, which has been reported in about 38 U.S. states, can be accompanied by characteristic eye pain and rash, the doctor said.
Florida officials say the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is responsible for transmitting dengue fever. (iStock)
Although there are tests available, Makary confirmed that there is no known treatment for dengue.
“It’s a good reminder to try to do what you can to reduce mosquito bites, especially in the southern United States where it’s more common,” he advised.
“Invasive” and “aggressive” mosquitoes
While Florida authorities have identified the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) as responsible for the spread of dengue fever, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had previously warned that tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) could also carry the infection.
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Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of laboratories at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, confirmed that tiger mosquitoes are a “known vector” of dengue fever and can transmit the virus to individuals who have not been previously infected.
“This species of mosquito is of concern for a number of reasons, including being considered the most invasive species in the world,” she told Fox News Digital last month.
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The mosquito species is moving increasingly northward globally as temperatures warm, the expert said.
“Tiger mosquitoes are also quite aggressive, biting humans and animals at any time of day, rather than at dawn or dusk, which is typical of other mosquito species,” Theel warns.
According to experts, Aedes albopictus, the “tiger” mosquito, can survive in cooler climates. (iStock)
Fauver warned that the tiger mosquito can spread many “problematic arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses),” including dengue, Zika and chikungunya.
“The mosquito is a generalist feeder and will readily feed on human blood, potentially exposing humans to these arboviruses,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“Aedes albopictus “It is an invasive species that is currently experiencing a rapid expansion of its range and establishing populations in areas where it was not previously present, particularly in Europe and the United States.”
Health officials say climate change is one factor contributing to the spread of these insects.
Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.