Local Dengue Not Unexpected
“Sadly, I am not surprised at another locally acquired case of dengue fever in the United States,” said Dr. Lawler. “We also have seen a trend of more historically tropical, insect-borne diseases popping up with locally acquired cases in the United States,” he noted.
Dr. Lawler suggested that “the erosion of state and local public health” is a major contributor to the increase in dengue cases. For more than 100 years, activities of state and local public health officials had significantly curtailed mosquito-borne diseases through aggressive control programs, “but we seem to be losing ground over the last several years,” he said.
“Locally acquired dengue cases are still rare in the United States,” he added. “However, people can protect themselves against dengue and more common arthropod-borne infections by taking precautions to cover up and wear insect repellent while outdoors.”
In addition, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health emphasized in its press release that local residents reduce their risk for contact with mosquitoes by removing areas of standing water on their property and ensuring well-fitted screens on doors and windows.
Dr. Lawler had no financial conflicts to disclose.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.