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US Faces Biggest Dengue Outbreak in Decades as Travel and Climate Fuel Spread
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News18•06-10-2026, 13:44
US Faces Biggest Dengue Outbreak in Decades as Travel and Climate Fuel Spread
- •Florida is experiencing its largest dengue outbreak in decades with over 250 local cases reported this year, surpassing previous annual records.
- •Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties have declared a state of emergency due to the surge in infections.
- •Experts suggest that travel patterns, warmer temperatures, and changing climatic conditions are driving the outbreak.
- •There is currently no available dengue vaccine in the US after the Dengvaxia vaccine was discontinued in 2025 due to low demand.
- •Worldwide, more than 2.2 million infections and nearly 1200 deaths have been reported this year.
Key Questions Answered
Florida is experiencing its largest dengue outbreak in decades, with more than 250 local cases reported by the end of September. This surge has surpassed the state's previous annual record and led counties like Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas to declare a state of emergency.
Dengue does not spread directly between people through casual contact, but travel enables the virus to move geographically. If a traveler infected with the virus is bitten by a local Aedes mosquito, that mosquito can transmit the infection to others.
Currently, there is no dengue vaccine available in the United States. While a vaccine named Dengvaxia became available in 2019, it was discontinued by the manufacturer in 2025 due to low demand.
