Dengue fever cases on the rise amid spring break season
DORAL – FL – Dengue fever cases are rapidly increasing globally with more than 760,000 reported so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC informed a lot of countries have reported “higher-than-usual” numbers of dengue cases in 2024 and 2025, including the U.S.- Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands too. In 2025 alone, more than 1,150 cases have been recorded nationally, and Puerto Rico has been one of the most affected areas with at least 1,012 cases.
Puerto Rico, that declared a public health emergency over the mosquito-borne illness in the beginning of 2024, is among the places that have experienced the highest rise in cases worldwide, together with Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico.
Domestically, after P.R., Florida follows with 50 cases and then the Virgin Islands with 40, according to federal and state data compiled by the Miami Herald.
Of the cases reported in the state, all but one are considered to be travel-related. This means, the infected individuals traveled two weeks prior to showing symptoms to a region in which the disease is common and recurrent throughout the whole year or in certain times of the year.
More than half of the state-wise cases involve Miami-Dade County residents and in February the only locally acquired case reported in Florida was of a county resident. In addition, the state’s most recent surveillance report indicated that of all infected people this year, the vast majority had recently traveled to Cuba.
Given the warning issued by CDC, doctors are being requested to monitor symptoms in patients who recently traveled to dengue-infested areas. The illness causes symptoms that are very similar to the flu like fever, severe muscle aches and rashes.
To reduce the risk of getting infected, wear EPA-approved long-sleeve shirts, pants and socks if planning to be outside. Also, drink lots of water and avoid being out in the sun during the hottest time of the day. If you traveled to an area known for dengue cases, when you’re back stay put for at least two weeks and visit a doctor if any symptoms surface.
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