Dengue Fever

Historical Data

Spread to Virginia is not probable
Most prevalent cause of death in the Tropics and subtropics-in Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands- over 400 million infected yearly-worldwide problem since 1950’s
Rarely occurs in the United States, but is endemic in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and Guam
Was one outbreak in Hawaii in 2001
The latest reported outbreak in the United States was in south Texas in 2005
Most cases in the States are brought back from travel

Transmission, Pathogens & Vectors

The disease is caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses
The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito
In the Western Hemisphere, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the most important transmitter/vector of dengue viruses, although a 2001 outbreak in Hawaii was transmitted by Aedes albopictus
- Aedes albopictus - invasive species originally from Asia
- Aedes aegypti - main vector; invasive, domestic species with tropical and subtropical worldwide distribution that originated in Africa

Symptoms

High fever (most common)
Severe headache
Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
Joint pain
Muscle and/or bone pain
Rash
Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g. nose or gum bleed, petechiae, or easy bruising)
Low white cell count
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever happens when the disease becomes severe after several days with the first symptomatic fever

Treatment

No known cures or treatments, just pain relief by analgesics
Vaccine in the making known as ¨human challenge¨ could be possible cure for Dengue and Zika

Information gathered by Harper H.