Miami reports first case of local Dengue fever as Zika spreads 

  • Patient in Miami has been treated and is expected to recover
  • Officials have now ordered fresh spraying of the region
  • It comes as Zika continues to spread locally, now more than 100 cases

By MIA DE GRAAF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

Health officials have confirmed the first local transmission of Dengue fever in Miami.

The mosquito-borne virus bears similar hallmarks to Zika, which is also active in the region.

Despite efforts targeted at quashing Zika, there are now more than 100 locally-infected residents in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and other surrounding counties.

But the dengue diagnosis took officials by surprise.

Like Zika, dengue is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (pictured), which thrive in warm climates near the water

Like Zika, dengue is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (pictured), which thrive in warm climates near the water

The patient, who has not been identified, has been treated and is expected to recover.

Their relatives and close associates are being monitored by doctors.

Symptoms of dengue fever include a high fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain.

Like Zika, the infection is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which thrive in warm climates near the water.

While most people survive dengue with few or even no symptoms, more than 2 million a year suffer serious illness and about 25,000 die.

Creating a vaccine has been tough. 

It must work against four separate strains of dengue, and a shot that's only partially protective might backfire. 

That's because people who survive one type of dengue can suffer worse symptoms if they're later infected with another strain.   

 

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