Dengue in Florida 2023 update
Locally acquired cases rise to 176 in five counties through December 30
During the past week, Florida health officials reported one additional locally-acquired dengue fever case in Hardee County. This brings the total autochthonous cases in the state to 176 in 2023.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has reported local cases in the following counties this year—Broward (4), Hardee (14), Miami-Dade (156), Palm Beach, and Polk.
Of the 176 local cases, 135 or 77 percent of the cases typed as DENV-3, 11 were DENV-2, 5 were DENV-1 and 25 remain unknown.
The number of confirmed local dengue cases this year is a 159 percent increase compared to the 68 cases reported in 2022. Note: There may more cases reported for 2023.
Concerning travel-associated dengue cases, FDOH reports 569 in individuals with travel history to a dengue-endemic area in the two weeks prior to onset.
Seven cases met the criteria for severe dengue (dengue shock syndrome [DSS] or dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF]).
Fifty-seven percent of the travel related cases are linked to Cuba as the country of origin.
State officials say until 2009, there were no reports of dengue acquired in Florida since 1934. In 2009 -2010, an outbreak of dengue was identified in Key West. A total 22 persons were identified with dengue fever in Key West during the summer and fall of 2009. In 2010, 66 cases of locally acquired dengue associated with Key West were reported in Florida with onset dates between March and November 2010.
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There was also a Martin County outbreak in 2013. In 2020, dengue transmission was detected in Key Largo.Â
Dengue is a virus spread through mosquito bites by Aedes mosquitoes which also spread the chikungunya and Zika virus. Most people infected with dengue have mild or no symptoms. Those that do develop symptoms typically recover after about one week.
The common symptoms of dengue are fever and one or more of the following symptoms: headache; eye pain (typically behind the eyes); muscle, joint, or bone pain; rash; nausea and vomiting; or unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising). Severe dengue can occur resulting in shock, internal bleeding, and death. If you or a family member develop the mentioned symptoms, visit your health care provider or local clinic.