Health officials urge mosquito precautions after dengue case confirmed in Miami-Dade County

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County on Friday notified residents and visitors of a recently confirmed locally acquired case of dengue.

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Health officials said the agency and Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance, prevention and control efforts.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause flu-like symptoms, including severe muscle and joint pain, fever and, in some cases, a rash. Respiratory symptoms are uncommon.

Health experts say symptoms typically develop within 14 days after the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue is not spread from person to person.

The agency is urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by taking basic precautions.

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Officials say the agency continues statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue. Florida residents are also encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

For more information, visit the Department’s mosquito prevention webpage or view the weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should call the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-324-2400.

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