Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials have reported two additional cases of locally acquired dengue, a mosquito-borne disease found in several other nearby cities in recent weeks.
The two cases reported Tuesday, both in Baldwin Park, now make the total five for that area after a cluster discovered in September. Cases have been reported since then Panorama city And El Monte.
Officials emphasized that locally acquired cases of the disease are very rare in areas where the disease has not previously been transmitted by mosquitoes and that the cases outside Baldwin Park do not appear to be related.
“We are still investigating, but these new cases raise concerns about the possibility of continued local spread of dengue through the bite of infected mosquitoes in Baldwin Park,” said Dr. Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a statement. “Many infected people may not show symptoms, making it challenging to track and control the spread of the disease. However, with the help of the community, we can make a difference.”
Davis asked for help from people living in the areas recently hit by dengue, which will allow officials to direct mosquito control services where necessary.
He also re-emphasized the importance for residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by eliminating stagnant bodies of water where the insects breed and grow.
“Together we can protect our communities from dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases,” he said.
Officials say none of the local patients have a history of travel to areas where dengue is endemic.
Dengue is usually spread when an infected Aedes mosquito bites a human and although most patients never experience symptoms, some more vulnerable patients may develop fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and pain in the eyes, joints and bones.
Symptoms typically last a week, and full recovery is reported after about two weeks, officials said. Since the symptoms mirror those of other viruses, healthcare providers were also urged to “be vigilant for dengue fever in patients with acute febrile illness and test and report such cases of mosquito-borne diseases.”
