Spring breakers and summer vacationers, pack some extra bug spray.
The CDC updated warnings for travelers this week, following outbreaks of a mosquito-borne disease that can cause excessive brain bleeding and vomiting.
After detecting a higher-than-expected number of cases, a level 1 global travel advisory was issued by the agency.
The CDC listed 16 countries with an increased risk of contracting dengue fever if bitten, warning travelers to take precautions.
An unusual uptick of cases was noted among US travelers returning from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Guyana, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Samoa, Sudan, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
While the illness can take up to two weeks to develop, dengue can become severe within hours.
Early symptoms typically include fever, headache, eye pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain and minor bleeding.
More severe cases can bring about hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), blood in vomit or stool, dangerously low blood pressure, organ failure and even death.
Most US cases are a result of international travel, as the disease was virtually eradicated here in the 1970s, except for sporadic outbreaks in warmer states like Florida and California.
Level 1 advisories are the lowest level of travel alerts, with Americans urged to “practice usual precautions.” Still, travelers are strongly recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, sleep in a room with window screens or air conditioning and use an EPA-certified insect repellent.
Even if symptoms aren’t present, those who have just gotten back from a trip should continue to practice these precautions to avoid mosquito bites for three weeks.
Dengue is a year-round threat for travelers, and outbreaks commonly occur every two to five years in many parts of the world.
Over 6,800 cases were confirmed in the US in 2024, more than double the previous year, with reports coming from Texas, California, Florida and Puerto Rico.
About half of the world’s population is at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Unfortunately, a vaccine isn’t available for US travelers who are only visiting an area where dengue is common.
There’s no specific treatment for the disease, but acetaminophen is recommended for pain and fever reduction, as well as plenty of fluids and rest.
