Miami-Dade County leads the nation in dengue cases for 2024, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of May 24, the county has reported 74 confirmed cases, representing approximately 41 per cent of all cases in Florida, which stands at 180.
Travel-associated cases dominate
Reports are that most of these cases are linked to international travel. Specifically, only seven cases originated locally within Miami-Dade.
The remainder were associated with individuals returning from areas where dengue is more prevalent.
Notably, 54 cases were reported in travelers returning from Cuba, and 38 from Brazil, as detailed by the Florida Department of Health.
Comparisons with other regions
Broward County, also in Florida, has reported 30 cases thus far in 2024.
Meanwhile, New York state is the second-highest in the nation with 114 cases, all of which are travel-related, with no local transmissions.
Outside of the continental U.S., Puerto Rico has experienced a significant outbreak, with over 1,000 reported cases.
Understanding dengue and its symptoms
The CDC notes that symptoms of dengue typically begin a few days after a mosquito bite but can take up to two weeks to manifest.
Common symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, headache, eye pain, and joint and muscle pain.
In severe cases, the disease can escalate to more critical conditions such as shock, internal bleeding, and in extreme instances, death.
