Dengue in Florida: What to know

Dengue, or break-bone fever, is the most common mosquito-borne disease across the globe, transmitted through the bites of infected female mosquitoes from the Aedes species. These mosquitoes also transmit Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses. Dengue mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions globally, primarily in urban and semi-urban settings.

The majority of those infected with dengue for the first time will have mild symptoms. The illness can become severe if contracted a second time, and in severe cases, dengue can be fatal.

Severe dengue is associated with severe bleeding, organ dysfunction or plasma leakage. The complex relationship between the different dengue types and the human immune response has created challenges in creating a vaccine that provides protection against all four dengue virus serotypes simultaneously.

Dengue basics

Dengue-like disease outbreaks were first reported in 1635 in Martinique and Guadeloupe, and again in 1699 in Panama. However, similar illnesses occurred even earlier. Currently, this virus causes more illness and death than any other arbovirus in humans. The rise in incidence is attributed to four main factors:

• Rapid global population growth.
• Lack of effective mosquito control in endemic areas.
• Increased air travel.
• Deterioration of public health systems in developing countries over the last 30 years.

There are four different types of dengue virus, known as dengue-1, -2, -3 and -4, which are all closely related. The human immune response will depend heavily on which of the four serotypes is contracted. When someone contracts one dengue serotype, it is thought that they gain lifelong immunity to that specific type, but only temporary and partial immunity to the other three serotypes. Antibodies generated from an initial dengue infection may even facilitate infection by other serotypes, which can result in more severe illness, referred to as severe dengue.

Dengue in Florida

As of June 14, 2025, Florida’s Arbovirus Surveillance update reported 85 cases of travel-associated dengue and one case of locally acquired dengue in Miami-Dade County.

Although no part of the United States is officially labeled as endemic for dengue, Florida’s health department continues to report cases acquired locally or linked to travel in 2025.

In 2024, Florida reported 1,044 local and travel-associated cases of dengue, the most in the continental U.S., with California following with 719 cases.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not released any travel alerts or vaccination mandates for those traveling to Florida. Nonetheless, there is currently a mosquito-borne illness alert in Miami-Dade County.

These authorities advise that visitors to Florida should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as dengue vaccines are unavailable in the U.S. for those not living in endemic areas.

Dengue transmission

Female mosquitoes become infected with dengue when they bite a person infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Pregnant people infected with dengue can pass the virus to their fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Dengue can have harmful effects, including death of the fetus, low birth weight and premature birth. While the dengue virus has been detected in breast milk, there is no confirmed transmission via breastfeeding. Given the minimal risk of transmission and the advantages of breastfeeding, women are encouraged to continue breastfeeding even if a dengue infection is suspected or confirmed.

Dengue transmission in laboratory or healthcare settings is rare, occurring through blood transfusions, organ transplants or needlestick injuries.

Sexual transmission of dengue is plausible, but extremely rare.

Symptoms of dengue

Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in one to two weeks.

If symptoms occur, they usually begin four to 10 days after infection and last for two to seven days.

Symptoms

• High fever (40°C/104°F)
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea
• Comiting
• Swollen glands
• Rash

Individuals who are infected for the second time are at greater risk of severe dengue. Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away. These include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Bleeding gums or nose
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Being very thirsty
• Pale and cold skin
• Feeling weak

People with these severe symptoms should seek care right away. After recovery, people who have had dengue may feel tired for several weeks.

People most vulnerable to dengue infections

People traveling to areas with endemic dengue infections should use precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, children and pregnant people are at risk of developing severe dengue.

Those who have already had a laboratory-confirmed dengue infection are at risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract the virus a second time.

Dengue diagnosis

Diagnosing dengue fever can be difficult because its signs and symptoms can be easily confused with those of other diseases, ranging from flu to chikungunya, Zika virus, malaria and typhoid fever.

A clinician will likely consider travel history, blood tests and present symptoms for diagnosing dengue in a patient.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is available to detect the genetic material for all four dengue serotypes.

Dengue treatment

Dengue is treated with pain medicine, as there is no specific treatment currently.

Acetaminophen, known as paracetamol in areas outside the U.S., should be used to lower fever and manage pain.

The CDC advises against taking aspirin or ibuprofen for dengue symptoms. These medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can elevate the risk of internal bleeding, a risk already heightened by dengue fever. Severe dengue warning signs may appear 24 to 48 hours after the fever ends, making it essential to stay alert to your body’s signals even once the fever has passed.

Dengue prevention

Mosquito-bite prevention is the best way to prevent dengue infection. Be sure the area around your home is not hospitable for mosquitoes to breed. This includes removing any standing water near your home, maintaining screens on windows and doors, and utilizing repellents. While outdoors, wear insect repellent and loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing.

Dengvaxia is the only approved dengue vaccine in the U.S. To be eligible for it, individuals must meet all the following criteria:

• Children aged nine to 16.
• Children with a previous, laboratory-confirmed dengue infection.
• Children living in areas where dengue is endemic.

Use of the vaccine is not approved for U.S. residents visiting but not living in an area where dengue is common.

Additional resources