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What You Need to Know About Dengue
Experts say the mosquito-borne illness is a growing threat to Americans
4-minute read
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Key takeaways
- Florida has recorded nearly 400 dengue cases this year, and about half were acquired locally rather than during travel.
- Dengue symptoms often resemble other viral illnesses, but severe warning signs can appear after a fever starts to subside.
- Travelers and residents can lower risk by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating standing water around the home.
Dengue is drawing fresh concern in Florida, where cases of the mosquito-borne illness are climbing. The state has recorded nearly 400 dengue cases this year, and roughly half were acquired locally rather than during travel.
Nationwide, more than 2,000 dengue cases have been reported in 2026, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and experts say cases will likely continue to rise as global temperatures increase. The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred in the past decade, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows. Higher temperatures expand the range of the mosquitoes that transmit the illness.
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The swell in cases could also be due to more testing, says Dr. Michael Friedman, a global public health expert and former CDC chief medical officer, epidemiologist and country director.
“But regardless of that, this increase is a concern for sure,” he says.
What is dengue?
Dengue is a disease caused by four related viruses commonly found in tropical regions, which can be transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes of the Aedes species, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. This type of mosquito also carries the Zika and chikungunya viruses.
A dengue infection doesn’t always cause a person to get sick, but those who do get ill typically experience symptoms that are similar to many other viral infections. The most common symptom is a fever (the illness is sometimes called dengue fever) that can be paired with:
- Aches and pains behind the eyes
- Muscle, joint or bone pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash
For some people, the illness is mild and clears up in about a week. For others, a dengue infection can become severe — even life-threatening — and older adults are among those at higher risk of a serious case. A previous dengue infection can increase the risk for a severe case.
About 5 percent of people who have symptoms from a dengue infection will go on to develop severe disease, the Cleveland Clinic says. Warning signs of a severe dengue infection include:
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent vomiting
- Nose bleeds or bleeding gums
- Extreme tiredness, restlessness or irritability
- Throwing up blood or blood in your poop
What’s tricky is that these scary symptoms pop up after initial symptoms start to fade — they’re usually seen 24 to 48 hours after the fever goes away.
Traveling? Take precautions
It’s important to know that dengue is common in many popular tourist destinations, including the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. If you have a planned trip, it’s nothing to cancel over, but it is “one more thing [travelers] have to be concerned about,” Friedman says.
Here are some things you can do to lower your risk of a dengue infection:
- Use an Environmental Protection Agency–approved mosquito repellent.
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Wear clothing and gear treated with the insecticide permethrin.
- Use air-conditioning or window screens when possible to keep mosquitoes out of any indoor areas.
Also, pay attention to the time of day you’re most active outside.
“The biggest risk time for these mosquitoes biting is around dusk — late afternoon, early evening,” Friedman says. “And so during that time period, try to wear something that’s long-sleeve, try to cover your ankles and use insect repellent.”
Currently, there is no vaccine for U.S. travelers visiting areas where dengue is common. (There was an approved vaccine in the U.S. for children ages 9 to 16 who had dengue previously, but the manufacturer has stopped making it. Puerto Rico will continue to have access to the vaccine until available doses expire.)
With scientists actively pursuing other options, more vaccines could become available in the coming years.
“My prediction is that at some point in the near future we will have more dengue vaccines available for the public,” Friedman says.
Which states experience dengue outbreaks?
In addition to Florida, Virginia has reported a locally acquired case of dengue this year. In previous years, Hawaii, Texas, California and Arizona reported local cases.
That could change in the future, Friedman says: “My hunch is that it’s going to increase.”
To reduce your risk at home, you can do the same things that are recommended for travelers — wear insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible.
Also, be sure to dump and drain containers with standing water to reduce mosquito-egg-laying sites around your home — this can include birdbaths, flowerpots and clogged gutters.
“Mosquitoes don’t need much water to lay their eggs,” says Kristi Miley, a researcher at the University of South Florida College of Public Health’s Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, in a news release. For containers too large to dump, Miley says Mosquito Dunks can kill larvae without risking harm to animals or humans.
And repair any holes you have in window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
If you develop dengue symptoms and live in or have traveled to an area where it’s common, let your doctor know. A simple blood test can detect it and confirm an infection.
There is no specific treatment for dengue — rest and over-the-counter fever reducers are often recommended. What’s important is to keep an eye on any worsening symptoms. Dengue can become severe within a few hours, the CDC says, and severe dengue is a medical emergency.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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