L.A. County Health Dept. confirms case of locally acquired dengue

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department has confirmed a case of locally acquired dengue from a resident who has no history of travel to areas where dengue fever is endemic.

According to a release from the health department issued Monday, the infected person resides in Baldwin Park.

Dengue fever, which is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, can cause flu-like symptoms which include:

• High fever

• Severe headache

• Pain behind eyes

• Joint and muscle pain

• Rash

• Mild bleeding

• Nausea or vomiting

In severe cases, it may lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, both of which require immediate medical attention, health officials warned.

Public Health is working with local vector control agencies and their field teams to provide door-to-door information on dengue risk and mosquito bite prevention and control.

Additionally, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has increased mosquito trapping for identification, testing and abatement operations to reduce the risk of additional spread in the affected neighborhood.

“This case further indicates that dengue fever is present in our community…and while likelihood of widespread transmission is low at this time, we must remain vigilant and prevent further cases through public education and mosquito control efforts,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County health officer. “Mosquitos thrive in hot weather, increasing the risk of bites and mosquito-borne diseases.”

Dengue is common in tropical and subtropical regions such as the Caribbean, Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands.

According to Public Health, while most dengue fever cases in L.A. County are identified among individuals who traveled to where the disease commonly occurs, the types of mosquitoes that spread dengue are found throughout the U.S., which can trigger local spreading.

There are no specific medicines to treat dengue fever, Public Health stated, adding that there are supportive medicines for fever and pain symptoms. There is a dengue vaccine, but it is not approved for use for U.S. travelers who are visiting but not living in an area where the disease is common.

Positive cases of locally acquired dengue were previously reported in Long Beach and Pasadena last year, health officials said.

For more information, visit the L.A. County Public Health Department’s dengue fever information webpage .

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