By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated a previous travel notice on dengue fever in the Americas this week.

Western hemisphere map
Public domain image/ E Pluribus Anthony

Dengue is an ongoing risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Travelers to areas of risk should protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. In addition, the countries listed below are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases, and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased risk: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Officials say because dengue is spread by mosquito bites, all travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens or under an insecticide-treated bed net.