The CDC issued a health alert March 18 regarding dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean and the Americas.
Dengue activity is high in parts of the U.S., and with the spring and summer travel seasons approaching, the risk of travel-associated and locally acquired cases is increasing, according to the CDC.
The mosquito-borne disease is common in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2024, locally acquired dengue cases were detected in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas. Last year, the U.S. identified a record 3,483 travel-associated dengue cases — an 84% increase compared to 2023.
“This trend is expected to continue with increased dengue activity in endemic areas in 2025,” the CDC said.
Here are seven things healthcare providers should know:
1. Consider a dengue diagnosis in patients with fever who have been in areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission in the past two weeks.
2. Take a thorough travel history for patients who present with acute febrile illness.
3. Advise patients planning to travel on how to prevent mosquito bites.
4. Regardless of symptom onset date, test patients with suspected dengue using RT-PCR or an NS1 antigen test, as well as an IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody test.
5. Be aware of signs of progression to severe dengue, including abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, liver enlargement, and lethargy or restlessness. Recognize the critical phase of dengue, which occurs when fever starts to decline and patients may deteriorate without appropriate intravenous fluid management.
6. Consider outpatient management for patients with suspected dengue who do not present warning signs and are not at risk for severe dengue. Hospitalize patients with severe dengue or those displaying warning signs of progression.
7. Report dengue infections to health departments.
