Sacramento
, July 3 (IANS) Health officials across the US states of California, Florida and Texas confront an alarming reality with nearly doubling dengue fever cases nationwide, signalling the mosquito-borne disease may become a permanent fixture in communities, according to health news.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3,700 new dengue infections were reported last year in the contiguous United States, up from about 2,050 in 2023, KFF Health News reported on Wednesday.
It added that the surge included 105 cases contracted in California, Florida or Texas -- infections acquired locally rather than through international travel.
California witnessed the most dramatic escalation. In 2024, California saw 725 new dengue cases, including 18 acquired locally, reports Xinhua news agency, citing state data. This represented a nearly threefold increase from about 250 new cases, including two acquired locally, in 2023.
The disease spreads through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have expanded their territory aggressively.
The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that transmit dengue were not known to be in the Golden State 25 years ago. They are now found in 25 counties and more than 400 cities and unincorporated communities, mostly in Southern California and the Central Valley.
Michael Ben-Aderet, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, was quoted as saying that he believed dengue fever had become a "new normal" in the United States, emphasising that the mosquito population would continue to persist.
Climate change fueled the mosquito population's growth, as these mosquitoes survive best in warm urban areas, often biting during the daytime, according to Ben-Aderet.
The CDC issued a health alert in March warning of the ongoing risk of dengue infection.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Indian cities should share our dengue prevention strategies with US counterparts. Our municipal corporations have experience with fogging, awareness campaigns and monitoring breeding sites. International cooperation is key!
The article mentions 3,700 cases in US - that's less than what Delhi sees in one monsoon season! But seriously, this shows how interconnected our world is. Mosquitoes don't care about borders.
While the numbers seem small compared to tropical countries, the growth rate is alarming. US healthcare systems aren't prepared for vector-borne diseases like India is. They'll need to adapt quickly.
Maybe now Western countries will take climate change more seriously when it affects them directly. We've been suffering the consequences for years while they debated. Hope this leads to real action.
The article could have mentioned traditional remedies that work. In India, we use papaya leaf extract for platelet count. Not saying it's a cure, but natural methods can complement medical treatment.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.