Cases of Dengue fever have been reported in the Lower Hudson Valley. What you need to know

The number of Dengue fever cases in the U.S. already tops that for all of 2023. What does it mean in the Lower Hudson Valley?

Westchester County has had 11 reported Dengue cases so far in 2024, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show. It's Lower Hudson's highest county figure, but none of Westchester's cases were acquired locally — all were acquired through traveling.

And that is key: Dengue, a viral infection, is not known to be contagious, and, according to the CDC, it usually spreads by someone getting bitten by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito — it's not known to be found naturally in the state. The CDC said an infected Aedes albopictus mosquito can live in a broader temperature range, but is less likely to spread Dengue and other viruses.

"You have to have the vectors in order to spread this disease and, as far as I know, we don't have the vector," Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester's health commissioner, said of the particular mosquitoes.

"It's really tropical, subtropical areas — that's where this is really found," Amler said of where Dengue is more common.

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How many cases have been reported in NYC and the Hudson Valley?

A June 25 CDC alert to public health agencies and healthcare providers said countries in the Americas reported twice as many cases in this year’s first half as for all of 2023 — some 9.7 million cases — a record-breaking figure higher than the largest single-year number ever recorded. High case numbers so far this year have been reported in parts of South America, such as Argentina and Brazil.

Westchester had 15 cases in all of last year, and all involved traveling, too. As of late June this year, all of New York state’s reported cases had been related to travel.

So far this year, Rockland, Orange and Ulster counties have reported cases in the lowest category: 1 to 4 cases reported. (CDC does not give a specific number for each, just the range).

New York County has had 41 cases, while Kings and Queens counties have had 23 and 22, respectively. Bronx County has had 9.

What are the symptoms of Dengue fever?

Dengue can bring fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and rashes, as well as pain in bones, eyes, joints, and muscles.

But about 1 in 20 cases are severe – cases that can lead to shock, internal bleeding and death, USA Today reported. The CDC said people should immediately go to a hospital if they have:

• Belly pain or tenderness
• Bleeding from nose or gums
• Extreme fatigue or restlessness
• Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
• Vomiting at least 3 times in a 24-hour period

A blood test is the only way to confirm the severe Dengue diagnosis, the USA Today Network's Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

Westchester and New York City's reported cases aren't the nation's highest. Puerto Rico issued a March health emergency and has reported nearly 1,500 cases. California's Los Angeles County has had 401 reported cases, Santa Clara County has had 212, and San Diego County has had 155. Florida’s Miami-Dade County has had 100 reported cases and Broward County has had 32, with at least three other of that state’s counties reporting 12, 13 and 15 cases, according to CDC data.

CDC advises that travelers be mindful if planning to go to where there is a high incidence of Dengue. And, if you have symptoms and recently traveled to an area with an outbreak, seek medical care.