Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Health

Dengue Fever Cases Reported in Austin and Travis County

Austin and Travis County have reported five cases of dengue fever this summer, catching many residents off guard as the mosquito-borne illness is not commonly associated with the area. While West Nile virus is a more familiar concern in Central Texas, health officials are now urging vigilance against dengue fever.

Austin Public Health has issued alerts to healthcare providers to be on the lookout for symptoms of dengue fever following a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the increasing number of cases globally and in the United States. This year alone, there have been 2,559 cases of dengue fever reported across 45 states and territories, with localized transmissions in states like Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Dengue fever is caused by a group of viruses transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, which also carry Zika and Chikungunya. While West Nile virus is spread by different mosquito species, Texas does have Aedes mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue fever. Recent cases in Florida indicate local transmission of the virus, highlighting the need for heightened awareness.

Despite the presence of Aedes mosquitoes in Texas, the state typically does not have malaria-carrying mosquito species. However, rising temperatures are causing malaria-carrying mosquitoes to migrate into the country, with instances reported in Brownsville and Florida last summer.

All five cases of dengue fever in Travis County have been linked to travel to regions where the illness is endemic, such as Central and South America, India, and Asia. Austin Public Health conducts thorough investigations to rule out local mosquito-borne transmissions in such cases.

While current testing focuses on mosquito pools for West Nile virus, dengue fever surveillance may be expanded if locally acquired cases are identified in Travis County. Health officials emphasize the importance of preventive measures against mosquito-borne illnesses to safeguard public health.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *