Virginia resident has state’s 1st locally acquired case of dengue fever
Virginia health officials have confirmed the state's first locally acquired case of dengue fever in a Northern Virginia resident. While the risk to the public is considered low, officials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.
Why it matters
The emergence of locally acquired dengue in non-tropical regions highlights the shifting geographic range of mosquito-borne diseases, likely influenced by environmental changes.
Virginia health officials have confirmed the state’s first known case of locally acquired dengue, a viral disease usually associated with international travel.
The Virginia Department of Health said the person, who lives in Northern Virginia, became sick but had not recently traveled outside the state.
Instead, the patient had been near another Virginia resident who was infected with dengue overseas. Health officials believe a local mosquito likely bit the traveler and later spread the virus to the second resident. Other health news DC region must prepare for disease-carrying mosquitos entering ‘prime-time season’ School backpack overload: Heavy bags can strain kids’ bodies Michigan reports the first 2 US deaths related to a diarrhea-causing parasite
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