South Florida's Dengue Outbreak Continues in August 2023

As the summer of 2023 comes to a close in South Florida, various mosquito-borne diseases continue to infect people.

During the period of July 30 to August 5, 2023, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported the following arboviral activity:

International Travel-Associated Dengue: Forty-three cases of dengue were reported this week in persons with international travel. In 2023, 190 travel-associated dengue cases have been reported.

Dengue Cases Acquired in Florida: Four cases of locally acquired dengue were reported this week in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. In 2023, 10 cases of locally acquired dengue have been reported.

Malaria Cases Acquired in Florida: In 2023, seven locally acquired malaria cases and 35 travel-related cases were reported.

West Nile Virus Acquired in Florida: In 2023, one WNV illness acquired in Florida was reported in Escambia County with onset in July. 2023

Chikungunya cases: One case with onset in 2023 has been reported in an individual with a travel history to a chikungunya-endemic area (Brazil) two weeks before onset.

And Leprosy has become endemic in the southeastern U.S. and potentially in the Orlando area.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes Travel Health Notices regarding disease outbreaks in international locations, it doesn't issue alerts for U.S. states.

However, Canada, the Pan American Health Organization, and the U.K. Foreign Travel Advice issue travel advisories for people visiting disease hot-spots in the U.S.

As of August 11, 2023, several vaccines are available to protect people from mosquito-transmitted diseases.