Dengue fever cases in New York require mosquito protection – QNS

A mosquito-borne disease that has sickened many people around the world has reached the United States and New York, according to a health alert from the Centers for Disease Control.

Late last month, the CDC issued a health alert warning the public about an increase in dengue virus infections.

“From January 1 to June 24, 2024, countries in North and South America reported more than 9.7 million dengue cases, twice the number reported in all of 2023 (4.6 million cases),” the CDC said.

Mosquito spraying is being carried out in parts of Queens this month as medical professionals warn of a rise in dengue fever cases this year and as a preventative measure against the West Nile virus.

So far in 2024, nearly 143 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the New York metropolitan area, including Queens, Rockland, Suffolk, Kings, Bronx and Dutchess counties.

The reported illnesses were travel-associated cases, meaning that the people with dengue contracted the disease while traveling outside the country, CDC data confirms. However, nine cases of locally transmitted dengue were reported in Florida.

Health experts say that dengue fever is transmitted through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes (also known as the yellow fever mosquito) and that preventive measures to eliminate the mosquitoes are helpful in preventing infection.

The New York City Health Department is expected to implement mosquito control measures in the following Queens neighborhoods later this week:

Wednesday, July 17, 8:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following morning:

The rainy days for spraying are the consecutive days Tuesday and Thursday.

Residents are reminded to remain indoors during spraying as some people may experience short-term eye or throat irritation when exposed to the pesticide used – a low concentration of Anvil® 10+10, Duet® or MERUS® 3.

Anyone who may have traveled and thinks they may have dengue fever should be aware of the following, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine:

• Sudden high fever.
• Strong headache.
• Pain behind the eyes.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Nausea.
• Vomit.
• Swollen glands.
• Rash that appears three to four days after the onset of fever.

Severe cases of the disease can lead to severe bleeding, shock or shortness of breath, experts say.

The most common methods to prevent mosquito bites are wearing clothing that covers the skin and using insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Experts also recommend avoiding outdoor factors that encourage mosquito growth, such as vases, flower pots or other surfaces where water can collect.

In the last two weeks and early in the season, West Nile virus has been detected in Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. The virus was detected early in mosquitoes at Kew Gardens in Queens.

Symptoms of West Nile virus may include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. In more severe cases, high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness, tremors, confusion, numbness and paralysis, and coma may occur.

If you experience symptoms of illness after mosquito bites, it is recommended that you contact your local doctor for testing.