What is dengue?

Dengue is a virus spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It can cause illness ranging from mild symptoms to a serious medical emergency.

How does dengue spread?

A mosquito can pick up the virus when it bites a person who has dengue. If that mosquito later bites someone else, it can pass the virus along. Dengue does not typically spread directly from person to person through everyday contact.

What is the difference between a travel-associated case and a locally acquired case?

A travel-associated case means a person was infected while traveling to an area with dengue risk. A locally acquired case means the person was infected by a mosquito in their local area. A travel-associated case can lead to local spread if a mosquito bites the infected traveler and then bites someone else.

What are the symptoms of dengue?

The most common symptoms are fever, often with headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. If you develop symptoms, contact a healthcare provider and tell them about any recent travel. A healthcare provider can determine whether testing is appropriate.

When should I seek emergency care?

Severe dengue is a medical emergency. Seek immediate care for symptoms such as severe belly pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, or unusual tiredness or restlessness. These warning signs can appear as a fever goes away.

How can I protect myself from dengue?

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent according to its label, wear long sleeves and pants when practical, and keep mosquitoes out of your home with properly fitted window and door screens. Remove standing water around your home at least once a week. Empty and scrub items such as buckets, birdbaths, plant saucers, toys, and containers that collect water.

Why does standing water around my home matter?

Aedes mosquitoes can lay eggs in containers that hold water, including small items around a home or yard. Removing those water sources helps stop mosquitoes before they become biting adults.

I just returned from a trip. What should I do?

If you traveled to an area with dengue risk, continue preventing mosquito bites for three weeks after you return, even if you feel well. This reduces the chance that a local mosquito could pick up the virus and spread it to someone else. If you become sick, contact a healthcare provider and tell them where you traveled.

Is there a treatment for dengue?

There is no specific medicine that cures dengue. A healthcare provider can advise you on care and watch for signs of severe illness. CDC recommends fluids and acetaminophen for fever or pain and says to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen if you have or may have dengue.

What is Lee County Mosquito Control District doing?

We monitor mosquitoes and respond to disease concerns through surveillance and mosquito control. Residents are an essential part of that work: preventing bites and removing standing water around homes helps protect the whole community.

Protect yourself. Protect our community. We’re in this together.

For current disease information, visit the Florida Department of Health’s arbovirus surveillance page. Before traveling, check the CDC’s areas with dengue risk.