A surge in dengue cases in Latin America and the Caribbean has reached over 3.5 million cases and 1,000 deaths as of March, with Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina being the hardest-hit countries. The virus is spread by mosquitoes thriving in warm and rainy weather. Upticks are noted in Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, and Mexico. Puerto Rico declared a dengue public health emergency. US embassies issue health alerts, and the CDC warns of severe symptoms like fever, headaches, nausea, and body pain.
Puerto Rico's health secretary declared an epidemic due to a spike in dengue cases, with over 549 cases reported this year compared to 1,293 in all of last year. The majority of cases are in San Juan, with over 340 people hospitalized. Globally, more than 5 million dengue cases were reported last year, with the Western Hemisphere accounting for 80% of them. Climate change factors like higher rainfall, humidity, and heat have contributed to the rise in cases. Dengue symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting, and rash, with severe cases potentially leading to death.
Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency after recording 549 dengue cases at the start of this year, with nearly half in the San Juan region. This surge is part of a global trend with Brazil experiencing over one million cases, Peru facing a record number of infections, and Argentina on the brink of a record-breaking outbreak. The World Health Organization states that around half of the world's population is now at risk for dengue, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
Puerto Rico has declared a dengue epidemic with over 500 reported cases and more than 340 hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning for American travelers. Dengue fever poses a public health threat globally with symptoms like high fever and severe headaches. Countries like Brazil, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand have reported high numbers of cases. Two vaccines, Dengvaxia and Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes. Dengvaxia is FDA-approved for children 9 to 16, while Qdenga is available in several countries but not in the U.S.
22-year-old Brazilian influencer Sofia Amorim tragically passed away from dengue fever and multiple organ failure while seven months pregnant in Goiania, Brazil. Despite medical efforts, both Sofia and her unborn baby could not be saved. Dengue fever is a viral mosquito-borne illness, with a severe form causing serious bleeding and death. Sofia, who had a significant social media following, experienced symptoms of dengue just days before her death, contributing to the rising cases of the illness in South and Central America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of 58 reported measles cases in 16 states in the U.S. so far this year, mostly among unvaccinated children aged 1 or older, with links to international travel. The CDC states that the current high population immunity reduces the risk of widespread spread, but pockets of low vaccination coverage pose a higher outbreak risk. Cases in at least three states were linked to visits to Florida, indicating early infections contributing to the virus uptick.
Measles cases in the US have risen, with 64 cases across 17 states, surpassing last year's total. Outbreaks in Chicago, southeast Florida, and Philadelphia contributed to the increase. Most cases are linked to international travel, primarily affecting unvaccinated children. The CDC warns of higher outbreak risks in communities with low vaccination coverage. Vaccination rates have fallen slightly in recent years. Measles symptoms include fever, rash, and possible severe complications. Before vaccination, thousands were hospitalized annually in the US due to measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 58 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. in 2024, matching the total for all of 2023. 93% of the cases were linked to international travel, with outbreaks in countries such as Austria, the Philippines, Romania, and the United Kingdom. The CDC emphasizes the importance of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations for all U.S. residents traveling internationally, especially children aged 12 months and older who have not yet received the vaccine.
Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general, has issued guidance to parents allowing them to make decisions about school attendance amidst a cluster of measles cases at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, Florida. Unvaccinated children are typically advised by the CDC to stay home for up to 21 days after a potential measles exposure, but Ladapo's letter defers to parents due to high community immunity. Fully vaccinated individuals or those with prior measles infection are 98% protected, while those without immunity have a 90% chance of contracting the virus. Households with measles cases are advised to monitor symptoms and students with symptoms should stay home from school.
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