An Arizona resident not too long ago contracted the mosquito-borne illness referred to as dengue, and the dengue virus has been detected in mosquitoes within the space. Dengue, usually related to tropical nations, could also be spreading in Arizona for the primary time.
It’s not the primary time dengue has proven up in the USA, however we don’t normally get native transmission of the illness within the 48 contiguous states. Florida has had at the least three native instances of dengue this yr, and has had a number of native outbreaks lately, with the biggest being 66 instances in 2010. (Earlier than 2009, there had been no instances since 1934, Outbreak Information At the moment reviews.) Dengue is frequent in a number of U.S. territories, together with Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
So how massive a deal is dengue, and what ought to you understand about it? Let’s take a look at the details.
How dangerous is dengue?
About 75% of people who find themselves contaminated with dengue gained’t have noticeable signs. Statistically, 25% will get sick, 5% will get extreme dengue, and 0.01% die from it.
It’s value noting that you just’re extra prone to get extreme dengue if in case you have had dengue earlier than. There are 4 sorts of the dengue virus, so in concept you will get it 4 occasions in your life. However for those who’ve had one sort, after which contract one other, that second an infection carries a better danger than the primary of progressing to extreme dengue.
Signs of an odd dengue an infection could embody nausea, vomiting, a rash, or muscle or joint ache. There could also be a sensation of ache behind the eyes. The sickness usually lasts between two and 7 days. Throughout this time, the CDC says, you need to relaxation and it’s possible you’ll take acetaminophen (Tylenol), however not aspirin or ibuprofen.
Signs of extreme dengue can embody stomach ache or tenderness, bleeding from the nostril or gums, blood within the vomit or stool, vomiting greater than thrice in 24 hours, or feeling unusually drained or irritable. When you’ve got these indicators, search medical care straight away.
How does dengue unfold?
Dengue is attributable to a virus, and that virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Not all mosquitoes can transmit it, although. It requires Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes chunk in the course of the day in addition to at evening, and so they can breed in small containers of standing water. Each species are extra frequent within the southern U.S. than in northern areas.
(The little brown mosquitoes that stay in additional northern areas and chunk extra typically at evening are Culex mosquitoes, which don’t transmit dengue. They will transmit West Nile virus, although.)
For a mosquito to present you dengue, it must chunk somebody with dengue, after which later chunk you. If this occurs in a given space, it’s thought-about native transmission of dengue. Folks can contract dengue whereas touring after which convey it house, which accounts for many instances of dengue within the continental U.S.
The right way to keep away from getting dengue
The principle approach to defend your self from dengue is by defending your self from mosquito bites, and you may also assist to guard your group by ensuring the mosquitoes don’t have locations to breed.
Mosquitoes will lay their eggs in stagnant water. This may embody gadgets like rubbish cans and tires that fill with rain water, sources of water like canine bowls and birdbaths, and puddles that kind on the bottom or in tarps. Drain these things frequently for those who can’t forestall them from filling up within the first place. (For instance, in case your canine has an outside water dish, make certain to empty it twice per week.)
To guard your self from bites, the CDC recommends utilizing an efficient insect repellent (corresponding to one containing DEET), sporting long-sleeved shirts and lengthy pants the place attainable, and utilizing window screens to maintain mosquitoes out of the house.
There’s a vaccine in opposition to dengue that’s at the moment accredited for kids aged 9 to 16 who stay in areas the place dengue is frequent. It isn’t accredited for people who find themselves simply touring to these locations.