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Miami, the gateway to Latin America, has become the epicenter of dengue fever in the United States. The mosquito-borne illness has been wreaking havoc in the state of Florida, with cases doubling since last year. This increase in cases is largely due to unsuspecting travelers bringing the virus back with them from the Caribbean and Southern Hemisphere. The spike has raised concerns among authorities as they work to prevent the disease from spreading locally before the summer rainy season.
According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been 164 cases of dengue reported this year, with only six cases not linked to international travel. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Miami-Dade as the hotspot for dengue in the country. This rise in cases coincides with a surge of dengue throughout the Americas, fueled by unusually humid and hot weather conditions.
The Pan American Health Organization has reported a staggering 3,274 deaths and 7.6 million cases of dengue in Latin America and the Caribbean this year. This number is higher than the combined number of cases reported in 2022 and 2023. Brazil alone has reported over 4 million cases and almost 2,000 deaths, while Puerto Rico has recently recorded its first dengue-related death after declaring a health emergency in March.
Dengue, also known as breakbone fever, is a viral disease transmitted by certain mosquitoes. The symptoms include headaches, body aches, fever, and rashes. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Florida’s high number of dengue cases is attributed to its position as a major international travel hub, with Miami International Airport handling more than 50 million travelers in 2023, almost half of whom were international travelers.
The Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division is taking proactive measures to combat the spread of dengue in the region. Upon receiving reports of suspected cases, the agency dispatches a team to spray for larvae and adult mosquitoes and eliminate breeding sites near the area. If the case is confirmed, the team returns to repeat the operation. The department also has over 300 traps set up around the county and conducts weekly collections of mosquitoes.
The spike in dengue cases has caught authorities off guard, as it has occurred earlier than usual and well before Miami’s peak mosquito season in the summer. John-Paul Mutebi, the director of the Mosquito Control Division, stated that it is too early to predict the situation for the rest of the year. He also expressed concern about the situation in neighboring countries such as Cuba and Haiti, where the level of dengue activity is unknown.
The increase in dengue cases in Miami has raised awareness about the impact of climate change on the spread of dangerous diseases. This year’s unusually humid and hot weather has created ideal conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes, amplifying the transmission of dengue. With the global climate crisis worsening, there is a growing concern about the resurgence of other tropical diseases in the region.
The local government and health authorities in Miami are urging residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate potential breeding sites around their homes.
Travelers are also advised to take preventive measures before and during their trips to areas with high dengue activity. The government and health agencies are working together to contain the outbreak and prevent it from becoming a public health emergency in the region.