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New research suggests Florida is host to an emerging variant of the dengue virus. The study found that there has been an “unprecedented” number of cases caused by dengue virus serotype 3 in the state over the past two years, including locally acquired cases. The outbreak has been relatively small and controlled, at least so far.
dengue It is a mosquito borne disease. Most initial infections cause no symptoms, but about a quarter will experience a flu-like illness, while one in 20 of these cases may develop serious, life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and shock. There are four major serotypes of dengue virus, and surviving an infection provides immunity only to that specific type. What’s worse, re-infection with another type of virus actually increases the risk of developing severe dengue.
aedes The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually live in tropical regions of the world. But over the past few decades, their scope has increased, and so has the risk of contracting dengue. According to World Health OrganizationThe number of dengue cases reported globally has increased tenfold since 2000, with more than 5 million cases reported in 2019, and the virus is now endemic in more than 100 countries. The threat of dengue is increasing, in no small part due to climate change, and recent years have seen outbreaks in new parts of Europe and the Americas, including within the United States.
The virus is not endemic to the continental US, and most cases today are found in people who have recently traveled to countries where the virus is regularly encountered. But in early 2022, Florida health officials began seeing an increase in travel-related and locally acquired dengue cases. This trend continued until 2023, with more than 700 cases Document that year. in a report published In a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, local officials worked with the CDC to characterize and gain a better understanding of these outbreaks.
Between May 2022 and April 2023, the authors found, at least 1,037 dengue cases were reported in Florida, with about two-thirds of those cases caused by dengue virus serotype 3, or DENV-3. Dengue is endemic in remote US areas of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but since 2010 most of the cases seen in these areas have been of dengue. Reason By serotypes 1 and 4. The report’s authors say these latest outbreaks represent “an unprecedented number of travel-associated and locally acquired DENV-3 cases in Florida.”
The majority of dengue cases in Florida were still travel-related, with the majority originating from Cuba. It’s not by chance, Cuba Experience A major outbreak of DENV-3 will begin in July 2022. Cases of DENV-3 have also recently been seen in other parts of the Americas, such as brazil and Arizona (including the state’s first known). locally acquired cases,
The ray of hope is that dengue did not succeed in making large-scale inroads into Florida this time. The team’s genetic analysis found that DENV-3 cases included very closely related strains, including those transmitted by local mosquitoes, meaning the virus did not spread widely beyond the initial outbreak. That said, researchers say better vigilance will help prevent dengue from becoming an endemic problem.
They wrote, “Strong surveillance of DENV activity internationally, as well as increased healthcare provider awareness of DENV detection and testing, can strengthen preparedness and response to future introduction in non-DENV-endemic areas.” Is.”
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