Florida Reports 513th Dengue Cases of 2023

Throughout 2023, the global dengue outbreak has exceeded 4.2 million cases from 79 countries/territories, with the region of the Americas reporting the majority of cases.

Through September 2023, most dengue cases in the region were reported from Brazil and Peru; the latter is experiencing one of the most significant dengue outbreaks in its history, says the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

In the United States, the state of Florida leads in reporting travel-related and locally acquired dengue cases.

As of October 28, 2023, Florida's Health Department confirmed its 513th dengue case of 2023. 

Florida's Arbovirus Surveillance Report #43 confirmed 31 new travel-associated dengue cases. In 2023, 415 dengue cases associated with international travelers were reported. Two hundred and six of these cases are related to travel from Cuba.

From a long-term health perspective, health officials are very focused on the increase in locally acquired dengue cases.

Last week, 20 new cases of locally acquired dengue were reported in South Florida, increasing this year's total to 98.

Miami-Dade County has reported 91 of these locally acquired cases.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease that can progress to a severe condition.

As of October 31, 2023, two dengue vaccines are available globally, but only one is licensed in the U.S.

Dengvaxia is U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved and indicated for preventing dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Dengvaxia® vaccine is available for certain people following a pre-delivery diagnostic test review.