Alert Issued for Jamaica's Dengue Outbreak

The U.S. Embassy in Kingston recently confirmed an outbreak of the dengue virus was announced on September 23, 2023, due to increased cases throughout the Caribbean island country of about 2.8 million people.

As of October 11, 2023, Jamaica's Ministry of Health has reported 1,060 confirmed dengue infections in Jamaica this year. There are no Dengue-related deaths classified at this time.

However, six deaths are being investigated.

All parishes have recorded dengue cases, with Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Portland, and St. James recording the most confirmed cases.

The dominant dengue strain is Type 2, which last predominated in Jamaica in 2010.

Dengue is an increasing health risk to international travelers throughout the Region of the Americas.

Jamaica's dengue outbreak in 2023 joins well-known vacation areas such as Southeast Florida, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

Dengue is a vaccine-preventable, mosquito-transferred disease with two approved vaccines available in certain countries.

In the U.S., Dengvaxia® vaccine is approved by the U.S. FDA with specific testing requirements. On June 30, 2023, the FDA issued a Supplemental Approval letter.