On Nov. 25, 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the first locally acquired case of dengue virus in 2024 was reported in a Cameron County resident. It has been a highly active year for dengue virus globally.

To date, there have been 106 travel-associated dengue cases, including one death reported in Texas. This was the highest annual case count in Texas since 2002. Precautions should be taken to protect against mosquito bites in Texas and while traveling internationally to countries where dengue is endemic. Most dengue virus cases in the U.S. have been linked to travel to places where the virus is endemic, including the South Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Africa.

Dengue virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and about 25 percent of infected individuals become 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. However, about one in 20 symptomatic people develop a severe infection that can be fatal if untreated. Since 2013, there have been 665 cases of dengue virus in Texas.