Dengue Fever Discovered in Key West

The CDC is reporting cases of dengue fever resulting from mosquito bites in Key West, Florida.  The illness, which is typically not fatal, is one of the most common of mosquito borne illnesses; the disease is endemic in the Western Hemisphere, typically south of Mexico in Puerto Rico and Latin America.  Sporadic outbreaks have occurred in Guam and Samoa.

Prior diagnoses in the United States have occurred after the patient has returned from a trip into one of these areas.  In 2005, a woman in Brownsville, TX contracted dengue fever, but remained undiagnosed until the illness escalated into dengue shock syndrome.  Following an investigation, 25 cases were discovered in Cameron County, of which Brownsville is the county seat.  The source of the illness was an outbreak of dengue fever in Matamoros, Mexico.  Eventually, 104 people were treated from this area of Mexico.

The difference in the current outbreak is that the source of dengue fever is actually on American soil.  ABC News is reporting that the CDC, in the May 21 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is emphasizing the importance of a diligent “vector-borne surveillance” system in the coming months.

Symptoms of Dengue

Many times, dengue fever goes undiagnosed, unless the patient tells the attending physician that they have traveled to an area in the tropics or subtropics, as the illness mimics other ailments.  According to the New York Times Health Guide, the symptoms include:

High Fever (often reaching between 104 and 105 degrees)

Headache

Severe joint and muscle aches

Vomiting

Swollen lymph glands

A report in WebMd that even after being successfully treated, patients can suffer from bouts of exhaustion in the months following the initial onset of the disease.

Prognosis and Treatment

The illness lasts for about one week; there is no “cure” for the illness, although it is not fatal.  Patients are advised to take a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, to ease uncomfortable symptoms.  The patient also must remain adequately hydrated, as dehydration can quickly occur in those suffering with the fever.