Miami-Dade County, FL health officials reported a autochthonous, or locally acquired dengue transmission in the community.

Aedes aegypti/CDC
Aedes aegypti/CDC

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) is working in conjunction with Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control and Habitat Management Division which has implemented its response protocol to eliminate breeding and adult mosquito activity in the area of the confirmed case.  Both agencies will continue surveillance and mosquito prevention efforts.

DOH-Miami-Dade reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

This is the first locally transmitted dengue fever case reported in Florida this year. To date, 43 travel-associated cases have been reported statewide.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

People get the dengue virus from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not contagious from person to person.

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).