Studies have shown that two species of mosquito capable of carrying dengue fever have been found in 28 states and Washington, D.C. The counties that these mosquitoes have been found in contain more than 173 million people. Could climate change be what is allowing these mosquitoes to travel farther away from their typical tropical areas? If so, will the United States see a drastic increase in non-imported dengue fever cases?
The Natural Resources Defense Council recently published a paper that may answer these questions: Mosquito-Borne Dengue Fever Threat Spreading in the Americas (PDF). The paper looks at the increase in dengue fever cases in the states, an increase in vulnerability to the disease, and provides recommendations to limit the spread of dengue fever.
“Dengue (or “breakbone”) fever is high on the list of mosquito-borne diseases that may worsen with global warming. The symptoms of the disease include high fever, rash, and severe headache with aching bones, joints, and muscles. Dengue and its deadly complications, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, have increased over the past several decades. Increasing urbanization and population growth facilitate disease transmission, and for communities without reliable piped municipal water services, the need to collect and store household water in containers can provide the perfect habitat for mosquitoes to breed. More rapid international travel and trade can move viruses and mosquitoes from one part of the globe to another, increasing epidemic risks. “ Source: NRDC
The NRDC makes several recommendations to limit the spread of dengue fever:
- Improve environmental monitoring
- Support better health surveillance
- Improve mosquito control
- Help create climate- and disease-resilient homes and communities
- Reduce global warming pollution to decrease the extent and severity of warming
- Provide information for travelers visiting high-risk dengue areas
All of the states bordering Mexico as well as the Gulf Coast are included among the 28 states that have at least one of the two dengue fever carrying mosquito species. Other states include Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, and even New Hampshire. For more information, download the Dengue Fever Vulnerability in the United States map (PDF).
For more information about the disease, read the Dengue Fact Sheet (PDF) from the CDC.
Photo by naturegirl78
