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Florida: More local dengue fever, West Nile virus reported
By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County reported an additional five locally acquired dengue fever cases over the weekend.
There are now 22 locally acquired dengue fever cases statewide in 2020 and 21 for Monroe County (one in Miami-Dade County).
Mosquito Control was promptly informed of the new cases.
Dengue can present as a severe flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and pain, fever and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of Dengue will appear within 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
In Miami-Dade County, two additional asymptomatic West Nile Virus (WNV)-positive blood donors were reported. There have been a total of 24 WNV infections in Miami-Dade County in 2020.
Lastly, Palm Beach County reported their first WNV case of the year, issuing a mosquito-borne illness advisory for a WNV-positive blood donor.
There are now a total of 25 WNV infections statewide in 2020 (three symptomatic cases and 22 asymptomatic blood donors).
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV infections in people.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue. People with mild illness typically recover within about a week with symptomatic treatment. Less than one-percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for severe disease.
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