Washington sees ‘uptick’ in Dengue Fever cases, urges travel caution

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – The Washington Department of Health announced the state is seeing an increase in Dengue Fever cases — urging residents to take precautions during travels.

In the department’s July 18 announcement, health officials said the “uptick” in cases were among Washington residents who traveled internationally, particularly to South America, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Dengue Fever is caused by a virus carried by Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitos, which are not found in Washington.

A spokesperson for the department of health told KOIN 6 News the virus is also not found in Washington. “However, we do have Washington residents who travel to regions where dengue virus is circulating, and with an increase in dengue virus outbreaks in other parts of the globe we have seen an increase in Washington residents becoming infected while travelling.”

Washington reports an average of 13 Dengue Fever cases a year among residents who have traveled internationally, according to the department of health.

In 2023, the state reported an increase of cases, at 31 reported cases, and has been recording higher than its average number of cases in 2024.

The department of health urged community members to check their health risks at their travel destinations. Officials also recommend using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent, treating clothing and gear with permethrin, and to sleep in a bug-proof room with intact screens on windows and doors, a mosquito net, and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats to cover up from bugs.

Washington health officials also warn residents to protect themselves against other diseases, such as West Nile Virus, which is present in mosquitoes in the state.

In Oregon, the state health authority only has data on Dengue Fever cases through 2022, which saw nine cases in the state.

All nine of those cases among Oregon residents had a history of recent travel to areas where Dengue Fever is endemic.

Previously, Oregon reported one case in 2021, seven cases in 2020, 12 cases in 2019, and 11 cases in 2018.

Dengue Fever symptoms range in severity from asymptomatic infections to high fever, headache, muscle aches, and rashes, the Oregon Health Authority said.

In May 2019, a vaccine against the virus was approved in the United States and is recommended for children nine- to 16-years-old with previous lab-confirmed infection who live in areas where the virus is common.

According to OHA, there is no evidence of Dengue Fever transmission in Oregon, noting the mosquito species that carries the virus is not native to the state. OHA said there have been reports that the species has been found in California.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Dengue Fever cases have “risen at an alarming rate in recent years,” as the World Health Organization reported an eight-fold increase in cases from the years 2000 to 2019.

In 2023, there were over five million cases reported from 80 countries, with at least 23 of those countries reporting outbreaks, the CDC said, adding that the number has more than doubled so far in 2024 with over 10.6 million cases reported in North and South America alone.

According to the CDC, there is no specific treatment for the disease, but patients are encouraged to see a healthcare provider if a fever or other symptoms develop.

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