Sacramento– Health officials in California, Florida, and Texas are grappling with a troubling rise in dengue fever cases, raising concerns that the mosquito-borne illness may be establishing a permanent presence in parts of the United States, according to reports from KFF Health News.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 3,700 new dengue infections were reported in the contiguous U.S. in 2024, nearly doubling from the 2,050 cases recorded in 2023. Notably, 105 of the 2024 cases were contracted locally in California, Florida, or Texas—meaning they were acquired within the U.S. and not through international travel.
California, in particular, has seen a dramatic spike. State data cited by Xinhua reveals that the state recorded 725 dengue cases in 2024, including 18 locally transmitted infections. This marks a sharp rise from 2023, when the state saw about 250 cases, including just two local transmissions.
Dengue is primarily spread through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have been expanding their range aggressively in recent years. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species—known vectors of dengue—were not present in California 25 years ago. Today, they are found in 25 counties and over 400 cities and unincorporated areas, particularly in Southern California and the Central Valley.
Dr. Michael Ben-Aderet, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told reporters that he believes dengue fever is becoming part of a “new normal” for the U.S., noting that the mosquito population is likely to remain entrenched.
According to Ben-Aderet, climate change is a key factor driving the expansion of these mosquitoes. The insects thrive in warm, urban environments and are most active during daylight hours, increasing the risk of human exposure.
In March, the CDC issued a health alert warning of the persistent risk of dengue infections across the country and urging public health agencies to remain vigilant. (Source: IANS)
