Dengue alert in Miami-Dade where 12 cases have been reported

DORAL, FL – The Florida Department of Health has made a report warning residents about a dengue alert in Miami-Dade where 12 cases have been reported.

One case was detected earlier this week and another one last week, which motivated health authorities to issue a new alert this year that has brought three times more cases in Florida than in the previous five years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some cases in the county are related with an outbreak in Cuba, so if you are traveling to the Caribbean, Central America and South America this Thanksgiving, please be aware and protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Dengue can be transmitted through the bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spread the chikungunya virus and Zika.

Most people infected with dengue have mild or no symptoms, while those who develop symptoms recover after about a week.

Please be on the lookout during this dengue alert in Miami-Dade to identify possible symptoms such as headache, eye pain, muscle pain, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Severe dengue can cause shock, internal bleeding or death.

How to protect yourself?

• Empty water from trash cans, house gutters, toys, pool covers, flower vases, and other containers.
• Don’t leave wheels, batteries, bottles, cans, pots, and pans outside.
• Empty and clean pet water containers at least once or twice a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from the rain using tarps.
• Keep pools in good condition and proper level of chlorine, and empty plastic pools when not in use.
• If you work in areas with mosquitoes,  wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
• Apply appropriate repellent against mosquitoes on skin and clothing.