Dengue fever cases now at 20 on Florida’s Treasure Coast

Martin County health officials have confirmed two additional cases of dengue fever, bringing the total to 20 locally acquired cases in the Rio and Jensen Beach area, according to a press release issued Sept. 18.

Health authorities say the two cases were confirmed following routine surveillance and were not part of the current community survey.

Martin County Florida map
Image/David Benbennick

This is up from the 18 cases reported last Thursday.

Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health launched a community survey to learn more about the extent of dengue fever in the area. Health department field teams continue to work in the Rio and Jensen Beach area providing prevention information, a risk assessment survey and with consent, doing a blood draw for dengue testing. The door to door survey is expected to continue through this week.

“In order to stop the spread of dengue fever, we must stop the mosquito bites,” said Karlette Peck, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Martin County. “We urge everyone in the Rio and Jensen Beach area to take this seriously. Simple precautions, such as the use of mosquito repellent will help to keep residents and visitors healthy. This is especially important when people are working outside or are active in and around their homes. It is also critical that people continue to drain standing water in anything that accumulates water around their homes.”

Of the cases, 13 are Martin County residents, two non-Florida residents, one Palm Beach County resident and four St. Lucie County residents who visited Martin County.

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