According to officials, Texas is seeing its highest yearly incidence count in decades, and the state’s first locally transmitted case of dengue fever was reported in 2024.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that a resident of Cameron County, the southernmost county in the state, had contracted the mosquito-driven infection.
“It has been a highly active year for dengue virus globally. As of today, there have been 106 travel-associated dengue cases, including one death reported in Texas,” the agency said Monday.
“This is the highest annual case count in Texas since 2002,” it added. “Precautions should be taken to protect against mosquito bites in Texas and while traveling internationally to countries where dengue is endemic.”
DSHS says the dengue virus – often found in places such as the “South Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Africa” – is transmitted by mosquitos and about 25% of those who become infected are symptomatic.
“After about three to 14 days, infected people may develop fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle aches, joint pain, bone pain, pain behind the eyes, and headaches. Most people recover completely within two weeks,” according to the agency. “However, about one in 20 symptomatic people develop a severe infection that can be fatal if untreated.”
