In the past couple of years, Dengue fever has become an increasing concern for many Americans. While contracting the disease in the U.S. is relatively low, cases have grown in the past year. If you live in Arkansas, the good news is that the likelihood of catching Dengue fever is extremely low.
While the risk is still low, it’s important to recognize that Dengue fever is becoming more prevalent in the U.S. With this in mind, the following blog will cover the essential information related to Dengue fever.
How Is Dengue Fever Transmitted?
A bite from an infected Aedes mosquito is how Dengue fever is transmitted. While some believe that Dengue can be shared between people, this is not the case. However, if a mosquito bites an infected person, then the mosquito can become a carrier of the disease. This is often the cycle that occurs in regions where Dengue is prevalent.
What is Dengue Fever?
More than 100 countries across the globe are subject to Dengue fever. Dengue fever is an endemic that stretches across Africa, Southeast Asia, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Pacific Islands. In sum, there are an estimated 100 to 400 million infections of Dengue fever annually, While many of those who are infected are asymptomatic, there are about half a million who experience serious illness and about 40,000 who pass each year from Dengue.
Symptoms of Dengue fever include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever
- Mild bleeding (such as nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)
Should You Be Concerned About Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is often contracted after traveling to a location that has higher rates of Dengue fever. Locally acquired Dengue fever is minuscule, however, it is difficult to track since many cases are asymptomatic. The increase over the past year is a valuable reminder that diseases contracted by mosquitoes can and do migrate to new territories, especially when the climate is trending warmer than in years past. If you would like to see the latest data, you can review the CDC website regarding cases of Dengue fever in the United States.
Mosquito Control Experts in Arkansas
Dengue fever is taken seriously by many as the side effects can be devastating. Fortunately, the likelihood of encountering it in Arkansas is currently very low. At any point, if mosquitoes become concerning to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Delta Pest Control. Our team will help keep your home and community safe from the threats of mosquitoes.
