South Texas county reports 14 dengue fever cases

Health officials in the southernmost county in the state of Texas are investigating an increase in the number of dengue fever cases recently, according to a Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services Dengue advisory issued Nov.15.

According to the advisory emailed to The Global Dispatch, the health department has identified areas in Cameron County that have an increase of dengue cases.  To date there are 14 cases and several others under investigation.

Female Aedes aegypti mosquito
Image/James Gathany

Cameron County Health Authority Dr. James W. Castillo states “dengue is a viral disease that you can get from a mosquito.  Dengue cannot be spread from one person to another person. Symptoms may range from minor to life-threatening, but more commonly include high-fever, bad headache, eye pain, body pains, rash, and sometimes infrequent minor bleeding like nosebleeds.” Should you experience any of these symptoms, visit your health care provider immediately.

In addition to Cameron County, the Brownsville Herald reports  that neighboring Hidalgo County has had three probable cases but no confirmed ones.

Public health activities may include going door-to-door in to tell residents how to protect themselves, assisting people with cleaning up areas where mosquitoes can breed, and offering voluntary blood tests for people who have symptoms consistent with dengue. Neighborhood area campaigns will also be coordinated as appropriate.

Related story: Florida: Martin County community survey reveals 22nd dengue fever case

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. However, new research from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust, using cartographic approaches, estimate there to be 390 million dengue infections per year worldwide.

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

There is not a vaccine for dengue fever. There is no treatment for dengue, just treat the symptoms.

For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page