Dengue Alert

This time we will talk about the increase in the incidence of dengue cases in the world, in the United States public health authorities recently issued a health alert, in which they recommend physicians to be attentive to dengue cases. Also, the US has declared a dengue outbreak in Puerto Rico.

The dengue virus is transmitted by warm-weather mosquitoes, according to health officials, only one in four people infected with dengue will become ill, severe dengue can be life-threatening within hours, often requiring hospital care and can cause death.

Although most infections in the U.S. come from travelers returning from abroad, local mosquitoes may pose a threat. Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Director of the Dengue Office of the Centers for Disease Control in Puerto Rico, states that the mosquito that transmits the dengue virus does have a presence in the country.

She clarifies how dengue is transmitted and if it can be transmitted from person to person.

In addition, Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey explains how serious dengue infection is at present.

She points out that there is no treatment for dengue, but there are some precautions that we should take.

She talks about the vaccine that exists against dengue and that it is recommended only for people living in areas where the disease is common.Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey, gives recommendations to prevent dengue infection.

Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey reminds us that mosquitoes live in water and leave their eggs there, so we must throw away containers that accumulate water.

Finally, she suggests using repellent, avoiding having containers or objects that accumulate water in the patios of homes and even using products such as citronella.

For more information, go to cdc.gov/dengue/en for more information in Spanish.