UPDATED 16:30 hrs EST
The Associated Press is reporting that the test results on the suspected Dengue case in Miami have come back negative. Whether this is definitive – or tentative and subject to further testing – isn’t stated.
Meanwhile, Scott McPherson has details of several more suspected cases of Dengue, in Orlando and in Ocala.
Obviously things are in flux, so the story may change a bit over the coming days.
Stay tuned.
# 4730
This week has seen a good deal of Dengue Fever news, particularly after the ICEID 2010 presentation that indicates that as many as 1,000 of Key West’s residents have been exposed to the virus.
Investigation of Dengue Fever Outbreak in Key West, Florida, 2009
C. Blackmore, E. Radke1, C. Gregory, K. Weis, E. Sauber-Schatz, G. Gallagher, E. Hunsperger, K. Tomashek, B. Biggerstaff, L. Stark, C. Munoz
Excerpts from the CDC’s press release follow:
Report Suggests Nearly 5 Percent Exposed to Dengue Virus in Key West
An estimated 5 percent of the Key West, Fla., population—over 1,000 people—showed evidence of recent exposure to dengue virus in 2009, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health.
After three initial locally acquired cases of dengue were reported in 2009, scientists from the CDC and the Florida Department of Health conducted a study to estimate the potential exposure of the Key West population to dengue virus.
"We're concerned that if dengue gains a foothold in Key West, it will travel to other southern cities where the mosquito that transmits dengue is present, like Miami," said Harold Margolis, chief of the dengue branch at CDC.
"The mosquito that transmits dengue likes to bite in and around houses, during the day and at night when the lights are on. To protect you and your family, CDC recommends using repellent on your skin while indoors or out. And when possible, wear long sleeves and pants for additional protection."
I also reported early this week, that the Dengue situation in Puerto Rico has escalated well above the epidemic threshold.
As many have predicted, another case has turned up in South Florida. This time in Miami, and in a resident who reportedly hadn’t left the county in months.
Accordingly, the Miami-Dade County Health Department has issued the following Dengue Advisory.
July 15, 2010
First Suspected Locally Acquired Dengue Fever Case in Miami-Dade County
(Miami, FL – July 15, 2010) –The Miami-Dade County Health Department is reporting the first suspected locally acquired dengue infection case in the County.
Dengue is one of several mosquito-borne illnesses monitored by the department. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by a breed of mosquito common to the southeastern United States and the tropics. It is not spread from person to person. More than 100 million cases of dengue occur every year worldwide.
The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or a more severe case of the disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek care from a medical provider.
There is no vaccine or antidote for dengue. The best way to safeguard you and your loved ones from getting the virus is to take preventive measures against mosquitoes. These include making sure there are no containers with standing water, eliminating mosquitoes from one's residences and using repellent to ward off bites.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Everyone is encouraged to take the basic steps to limit exposure by following these recommendations:
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should practice the “5 D's”:
- Dusk and Dawn – avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are very active
- Dress – wear clothing that covers most of your skin
- DEET – repellents containing up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are recommended. Other effective mosquito repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR 3535. Always read label directions for approved usage before your apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
- Drainage – check around your home to remove standing water, where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
Getting rid of mosquito breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.
- Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters
- Remove old tires or drill holes to drain those used in playgrounds
- Turn over or remove empty plastic pots
- Pick up all beverage containers and cups
- Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water
- Pump out bilges on boats
- Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week
- Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week
- Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water
The Miami Herald has more details.
Case of dengue fever in Miami Beach raises fears
BY FRED TASKER
ftasker@MiamiHerald.com
A Miami Beach man who hadn't been out of the county for months had a suspected case of dengue fever, prompting concerns that the painful but seldom-fatal viral disease has returned to Miami-Dade County for the first time in decades, county health officials said Thursday.
The Florida Department of Health laboratory is testing a blood sample from the patient for confirmation, which should take a day or two, said Dr. Vincent Conte, epidemiologist for the Miami-Dade Health Department.
Although I’ve written about Dengue in this space a number of times, Crof over at Crofsblog has been doing the heavy lifting on this disease.
His coverage – particularly of outbreaks in the Americas – is outstanding.
Scott McPherson weighed in on the the Miami case yesterday, as well.
Read Miami gets first Dengue fever case to get his thoughts on this recent case, and the unintended consequences of banning DDT.
