Texas reports first locally acquired dengue case of 2024

November 26, 2024

Texas health officials announced the state's first locally acquired case of dengue virus this year was reported in a Cameron County resident. To date, there have been 106 travel-associated dengue cases, including one death reported in Texas. This represents the highest annual case count in Texas since 2002. The state health department urges precautions be taken to protect against mosquito bites in Texas and while traveling internationally to countries where dengue is endemic.

Earlier this year, CDC alerted HCPs about the increased risk of dengue virus infections based on an unprecedented number of cases reported globally and higher-than-expected cases among U.S. travelers. Most dengue virus cases in the U.S. have been linked to travel to places where the virus is endemic, including the South Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Africa.

DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH said, "It is important for health care providers to consider a diagnosis of dengue virus and test for it if their patient has symptoms consistent with the disease.”

Source:

Texas Department of State Health Services. (2024, November 25). Texas public health officials announce first locally acquired case of dengue virus in 2024. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-public-health-officials-announce-first-locally-acquired-case-dengue-virus-2024