Dengue fever saw a 70 percent increase in the U.S. in 2012

Photo/CDC-James Gathany

Dengue fever, the mosquito borne viral disease that is endemic in at least 100 countries globally, saw an increase in the United States in 2012, according to provisional numbers reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables for the last week of 2012.

According to preliminary data, there were 357 dengue fever cases reported in the United States in 2012. This is up from 251 cases reported in 2011, representing a 70 percent increase.

Florida led all states with 104 cases, up from 66 cases the year prior. This was followed by New York City (64) and California (35).

While the vast majority of the dengue cases were considered “imported”, some cases in Florida were “locally-acquired”.

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico reported 4,450 dengue cases in 2012. This is up from 1,507 cases in 2011.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does note that case counts for reporting year 2012 are provisional and subject to change.

Since 2009, all nationally diagnosed dengue infections were reportable to the CDC.

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