The CDC has issued new dengue warnings for the Americas as cases have increased nationwide, including 41 travelers in New Jersey who were sickened.
Cases of dengue, a mosquito-transmitted virus, are at an all-time high across North, Central and South America, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent warning.
No cases of dengue have been locally transmitted in New Jersey, but 41 New Jersey residents have been sickened while traveling as of July 2, the CDC said.
Those travelers have come from 15 different N.J. counties, according to CDC data. Bergen County has seen the most cases, with eight travelers sickened. The CDC does not say which country the travelers had most recently visited.
Florida is the only continental state to have reported local transmission, with seven cases. Most of those cases were reported in the Miami-area. Puerto Rico has seen 1,580 cases and 10 cases have been reported in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Across North, Central and South America, more than 9.7 million cases have been reported in the first half of 2024, the CDC said. That’s twice as many as were reported in all of 2023. More than 750 cases were diagnosed in U.S. travelers, higher than usual.
Dengue is the most common type of virus spread by mosquitoes or ticks worldwide. It can cause nausea, vomiting, pain in the muscles, bones, joints and eyes, headaches, and low white blood cell counts.
Older adults, those with certain medical conditions, and infants are at an increased risk if they contract dengue.
There are no approved medications for dengue, and treatment is usually supportive. Only about 5% of cases are severe.
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid contracting dengue. That includes wearing bug spray, keeping skin covered and avoiding areas where mosquitoes are known to swarm.
Stories by Katie Kausch
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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.