Flu and COVID cases have finally started to drop across the country as spring-time weather settles in. And while T-shirt weather can’t come soon enough, it also brings with it its own set of health risks, one of which is mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just issued a new alert about rising dengue cases in the U.S. and what you should start doing now to keep yourself safe.
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What is dengue virus?
Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from infected female mosquitos of the Aedes genus to people, more commonly in tropical and subtropical climates and dense urban areas, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Three out of four people with dengue will not have symptoms, but if they do, the WHO says these are the most common:
- High fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Rash
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Rapid breathing
- Bleeding gums or nose
- Fatigue and restlessness
- Excessive thirst
- Pale and cold skin
- Weakness
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Dengue is spreading in the U.S.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that, as of Feb. 25, the most dengue cases in 2025 have been reported in the following countries:
- Brazil (518,017)
- Colombia (31,967)
- Mexico (14,587)
- Peru (11,833)
However, the U.S. is not immune. In 2024, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands declared dengue outbreaks.
“A record number of dengue cases were identified among U.S. travelers (3,483 cases), which is an 84% increase compared to the previous year,” says the CDC of 2024. Last year, the following states reported the highest numbers of travel-associated cases:
- Florida (1,016)
- California (648)
- New York (327)
- California (91)
- Florida (18)
- Texas (1)
This year, the CDC warns that dengue virus transmission remains high in Puerto Rico (a public health emergency was declared here in March 2024 and remains in effect) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They add, “Spring and summer travel coincide with the peak season for dengue in many countries, increasing the risk of both travel-associated and locally acquired cases in the United States.”
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How to protect yourself from dengue:
Avoiding travel to countries where dengue is endemic is the most significant way to protect yourself from the virus. You can see a complete list provided by the CDC here.
The WHO states that the mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day, so if you’re going to be outside in an area where they’re prominent, you can take the following preventative steps:
- Wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible
- Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535
- Use mosquito nets if sleeping, “ideally nets sprayed with insect repellent”
- Install window screens
Of course, dengue is not the only mosquito-borne virus. As Best Life previously explained, you can take the following additional steps to prevent mosquito activity around your home:
- Rid your property of any standing water or places where water accumulates
- Keep grass and shrubs neat and trimmed
- Use outdoor fans to deter mosquitos and other flying insects
- Install traps or repellent products
- Hire a professional pest service
