As cases of mosquito-borne disease continue to rise worldwide, the US is wary of dengue during the busy spring break season.
Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Cuba, Colombia and Mexico are some of the places where we saw diseases known to cause flu-like symptoms such as an increase in dengue cases, fever, severe muscle pain, and sometimes rashes.
Infected female Aedeopard mosquito mosquitoes spread dengue fever to people through their bites. And parts of the United States are home to nasty insects, including Florida.
“Globally, dengue cases have increased significantly over the past five years, with the most noticeable increase in the Americas,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a record-breaking infectious disease was reported last year.
So far, more than 760,000 dengue cases have been recorded in 2025, with many countries reporting high numbers of dengue fever in 2024 and 2025,” the CDC said in a health update this week. Dengue activity is “high” in parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and is fighting the ongoing dengue outbreak.
The federal health agency is asking doctors to monitor the possibility of dengue symptoms in patients in areas known to have dengue cases, and also to “take a thorough travel history” of patients with sudden fever. The CDC also said, “We recommend that you advise patients planning to take action against scheduled patients during their trip and for three weeks after returning home, particularly if they travel to areas with frequent or consecutive dengue infections.”
Are there cases of dengue fever in Florida and other popular spring break destinations?
This year, the US recorded more than 1,150 dengue cases. Most of it was reported in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico has recorded at least 1,012 dengue cases so far in 2025, followed by the 50-year-old Florida and the US Virgin Islands, which recorded 40 cases.
Where do dengue cases come from?
Dengue is a common mosquito-borne disease in many countries, according to the CDC. The federal public health agency also says a higher number of cases detected or “higher than expected dengue cases” were detected among US travelers returning from several countries, including Cuba, Colombia, Panama, Brazil and Mexico.
In Florida, which recorded 50 dengue cases this year, all but one is considered travel-related. That is, the person was moved to the “dengue area” two weeks before he experienced the symptoms. Additionally, more than half of the state’s recorded dengue cases involve Miami-Dade residents who have recently traveled elsewhere.
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Most Floridians who became ill with dengue this year have recently traveled to Cuba, according to the state’s latest surveillance report. In February, Miami-Dade recorded the state’s only “locally acquired” dengue case in 2025.
In its health update, the CDC said it expects the US to increase the risk of travel-related and locally acquired dengue cases in the coming months, as spring and summer travel coincides with “the peak season of dengue in many countries.”
In Miami-Dade County, for example, mosquito season reflects hurricane season, running from June to November. Dr. John Paul Mutebi, director of mosquito control at Miami Dade, previously spoke to the Miami Herald.
Here’s other things you need to know:
Can mosquito bites make you sick?
Mosquitoes are common all year round in Florida. But not all of them can make you sick.
Some of them are annoying pests. Others can carry illnesses like dengue, the West Nile, and Zika.
Mosquito inspectors say only a few of the 49 known species in Miami-Dade County are considered nuisance to humans. One species that is most interested in county officials is the yellow fever mosquito, which can be found throughout Miami-Dade and can spread Zika, dengue and yellow fever.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
According to Mayo Clinic, most people with dengue have no symptoms and many have recovered within a week. However, some people become seriously ill and others die. According to Mayo Clinic, people with severe cases of dengue fever can experience severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, difficult or rapid breathing, intravenous outflow and organ failure.
“Symptoms appear three to 14 days after an infected mosquito bite and include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, eye pain, muscle and joint pain,” according to the Florida Department of Health. Some people experience vomiting and diarrhea.
The only way to know if dengue is sick is to take a test.
How can you handle it?
The good news is that unlike influenza, dengue fever is not contagious and can only be spread to people by bites from infected mosquitoes. The bad news is that there is no specific treatment for dengue fever.
If dengue fever becomes ill, the CDC recommends rest as much as possible, maintain hydration and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with fever. As Herald previously reported, “Do not take ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin.
Tips for reducing the risk of dengue infection
The best way to reduce the risk of dengue infections is to avoid being bitten by nasty vampires.
Here’s a hint:
▪If you are planning to go outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt that is approved by the EPA. Please wear pants and socks as well. This may sound like a blasphemous, especially for those who want to get sunburn or have planned to do a “hot girl summer.” However, if you want to reduce the risk of chewing, keep your shorts, tanks and sandals at home. And drink plenty of water and avoid getting out of the sun during the hottest months of the day. You don’t want to get fever fatigue or another fever-related illness.
▪ Use mosquito repellents registered with the EPA. Repellents require DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or IR-3535.
▪ Clean the rain drains. It is not desirable to clog the grooves with branches and other debris that can make rain more likely to pool. Check containers, pots, buckets, toys, plastic covers, and other home and other items to make sure there is no standing water. Don’t forget that standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
▪Replace water in bird baths, fountains, watering pools and potted plant trays at least once a week, according to the EPA. If you have a swimming pool, keep the water in place and circulate.
▪Replace the outdoor light with a yellow “bug light”. According to the EPA, these lights are not repellents, but they tend to attract mosquitoes.
