A rare case of the dengue virus was discovered in a Pasadena, California resident who had not traveled outside the country. The city’s Public Health Department and Fox LA identified this as the first locally acquired case in the state unconnected to travel. Ordinarily found in travelers, this case underscores the unpredictable nature, of mosquito-borne diseases.
Public health officials in Pasadena confirmed today, as an isolated incident. They are carrying out surveillance and field operations to continually ensure they keep local residents' risk very low. With similar intentions, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District have also set up mosquito traps. According to the Pasadena Public Health Department, no tests have yet, to come back positive for dengue-infected mosquitoes.
The virus primarily affects individuals in tropical and subtropical climates. It's sporadic to see such cases in the US, with a record of 67 locally acquired cases out of Arizona and Florida last year, as per Fox LA. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests half of the world's population is at risk of contracting dengue.
Information upon the Pasadena resident's condition is undisclosed, that though, symptoms of dengue can range from mild to severe. These include fever, rash, headaches, and muscle and joint pains. Most cases sizzle out within a week while some extreme cases demand critical care. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Feaster mentioned a "very low risk of additional dengue exposure in Pasadena," given the city's ongoing surveillance and Vector Control District's efforts.
Neither specific vaccines nor medicines currently treat dengue. Infected patients are typically advised to rest, intake fluids, and monitor symptoms closely, as recommended by Los Angeles Times. Pasadena's health department encourages residents to completely eliminate stagnant water and guard against mosquitoes with repellents containing DEET®, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
