The CDC alerts healthcare providers about the increased risk of dengue virus infections in the U.S., urging preventive measures and timely reporting. Dengue cases hit a record high in the Americas.
CDC Issues Advisory on Rising Dengue Virus Infections in the United States
(Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory on Tuesday, alerting healthcare providers about an increased risk of dengue virus infections in the United States.
Cases of the mosquito-borne viral illness have reached a record high in the Americas this year, the agency stated, echoing a similar announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) last month.
According to the CDC, the number of dengue cases reported in the Americas exceeded 9.7 million between January 1 and June 24, doubling the total cases reported in 2023. The agency also noted a higher-than-expected number of cases among U.S. travelers.
To contain the spread of the infection, the CDC urged healthcare providers to adopt preventive measures, use appropriate diagnostic tests, and report dengue cases promptly to public health authorities.
Last month, the WHO “prequalified” Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ dengue vaccine Qdenga, making it eligible for procurement by United Nations agencies such as UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization. Qdenga is already approved in the European Union, Indonesia, Thailand, Argentina, and Brazil, among other countries.
Additionally, French drugmaker Sanofi’s Dengvaxia is approved in several countries in the Americas, the EU, and Asia.
Dengue, transmitted through bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes, causes symptoms including fever, headaches, vomiting, skin rashes, and muscle and joint pain. In some cases, it can cause a more severe hemorrhagic fever, leading to bleeding and potentially death.
Reference: US CDC Alerts Healthcare Providers of Increase in Dengue Cases
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