Dengue

6 Stories

With Hundreds Hospitalized, Puerto Rico Declares Epidemic

More than 500 dengue cases have been reported there in 2024

(Newser) - Puerto Rico's health secretary declared an epidemic on Monday following a spike in dengue cases. The US territory of 3.2 million people has reported at least 549 cases so far this year, compared with a total of 1,293 cases for all of last year. The majority of...

5th State Reports Spread of Dengue
5th State Reports
Spread of Dengue
Oct 24, 2023 1:17 PM CDT

5th State Reports Spread of Dengue

California logs an unwelcome first with local transmission

(Newser) - California has reported its first locally acquired case of dengue, a mosquito-borne virus typically associated with tropical environments—part of a trend that has seen the virus spread in new areas affected by climate change. A person living in Pasadena tested positive for dengue despite no recent travel history, indicating...

A Mosquito Study Started as 'a Lark.' Then It Worked

Scientists discover that our diet drugs work on the insects, keep them from feeding

(Newser) - Human diet pills could one day stop mosquitoes from feasting on you in the night. Scientists have given drugs used on people to trick blood-thirsty mosquitoes into thinking they've already had their fill of blood. The researchers hope the technique will eventually be used to control the spread of...

Brazil Unleashes 10K 'Good' Mosquitoes

They're infected with a bacteria that acts as a vaccine against Dengue fever

(Newser) - On the heels of similar efforts in Asia, Brazil is releasing 10,000 mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria in the hopes of halting the spread of dengue fever. Found in 60% of insects, Wolbachia acts like a vaccine against the virus, preventing it from multiplying in the carrier's...

Vaccine Could Finally Knock Out Dengue

Disease soared during World War II

(Newser) - It's been decades since dengue fever killed thousands of US and Japanese troops in World War II—yet we still don't have an effective vaccine against it. That could be about to change, Reuters reports: A Paris company is testing just such a drug among children in Thailand,...

How to Avoid World's Worst Travel Diseases

Knowing the drill will help prevent a ruined vacation ... or worse

(Newser) - Experiencing the local flavor sometimes comes at a cost—violent illness. Travel + Leisure lists ways to avoid the world's most unwelcome travel surprises:
  • Malaria: To avoid this dangerous parasite take prophylaxis before traveling—usually mefloquine or chloroquine; and wear long sleeves and a repellent containing DEET.
  • Giardiasis: A menace
...

6 Stories