Two more cases that tested positive for the dengue virus acquired locally in Los Angeles were reported this Tuesday by authorities.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that two people with dengue were identified in the Baldwin Park areawhich brings the total number of positive cases to the virus to five.
Officials said that the two new cases had no travel history to areas where dengue cases are usually found.
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“We are still investigating, but these new cases raise concerns about the possibility of continued local spread of dengue through the bite of infected mosquitoes in Baldwin Park,” Dr. Muntu Davis of the Los Angeles County Health Office said in a statement.
“Many infected people may not have symptomsmaking it difficult to detect and control the spread of the disease. However, with the help of the community, we can make a difference,” he added.
The dengue virus spreads locally when infected mosquitoes bite people and are subsequently bitten by other mosquitoeswho become infected with the virus and infect other people, the department said.
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Approximately one in four people infected with the dengue virus presents symptoms. that They can appear between two and seven days after the bite.
The symptoms of the disease may be similar to those of the flu, such as fever, followed by severe headache, pain behind the eyesjoint and muscle pain, as well as a rash and possible minor bleeding.
According to health officials, the local outbreak sparked concern over continued spread of dengue in Baldwin Park and the risk of subsequent spread to other areas of Los Angeles County.
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The Department of Public Health said it is essential that people who live and work in Baldwin Park and other areas where a case of dengue has been identified that Prioritize mosquito control as well as prevention measures to reduce the risk of spread.
Dengue spreads by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes infected with the virusparticularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
The sustained spread of dengue in a neighborhood occurs when infected mosquitoes bite and transmit the disease to people, who in turn are bitten by other mosquitoes.
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The authorities They urged residents to take proactive measuressuch as taking advantage of free vector control services, including inspection and removal of mosquito breeding sites in your homes.
Among the advice provided by Public Health personnel are allow inspection of their homes to locate possible mosquito breeding sites and allow the installation of collection trapsuse mosquito repellent, keep insects out of your homes, eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
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It is recommended Cover water storage containers, such as buckets and rain barrelsclean pools and spas with the drainage of pool covers, as well as dispose of old items in your patios or gardens that may retain water.
For more information regarding dengue, you can check this link.
Keep reading:
· WHO: dengue cases in America exceed last year’s record
· WHO authorized the second vaccine against dengue
· Dengue will increase in the US and Europe, says WHO scientist