Mosquito-borne disease update: Florida, California and Massachusetts
Dengue, Oropouche and EEE
Florida
State health authorities reported two additional locally acquired dengue fever cases during the past week in Miami-Dade County.
This brings the state total to 31 indigenous cases from the following counties—Hillsborough (3), Manatee, Miami-Dade (21), Monroe (3), Orange (2) and Pasco.
In addition, Florida officials reported 23 additional travel associated dengue cases (479 year to date total), one additional travel associated chikungunya case (6) and 16 additional travel associated Oropouche fever cases (48).
California
Los Angeles County health officials reported the first locally acquired dengue fever case of the year in a resident in the City of Baldwin Park.
It is the third case of locally acquired dengue in California. Cases of locally acquired dengue were previously confirmed by Long Beach and Pasadena in fall 2023.
Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis, MD, MPH said, “This case further indicates that dengue fever is present in our community. While the likelihood of widespread transmission is low at this time, we must remain vigilant and prevent further cases through public education and mosquito control efforts.”
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced a fourth human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in the state this year. The case is a man in his 50s with exposure in an area in Middlesex County at high risk for EEE.
There have been 91 EEE-positive mosquito samples in Massachusetts this year. While most activity has been focused in Plymouth and Worcester counties, infected mosquitoes have also been found in Bristol, Essex, and Middlesex counties.
EEE is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The last outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts occurred in 2019-2020 and resulted in 17 human cases with seven deaths. In addition to this year’s four human cases, EEE has also been identified in two horses in Massachusetts.