THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The Los Angeles area is seeing a troubling increase in local dengue fever cases, health officials warned Wednesday. In a posted on its website, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department said at least three people have fallen ill with dengue fever this month after being bitten by mosquitoes in the Baldwin Park neighborhood east of downtown Los Angeles.
"The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed 3 cases of locally acquired dengue. These residents had no history of travel to places where dengue is common prior to their symptoms," health officials said in the notice. "Cases of locally acquired dengue are very rare in LA County.
Last fall, two cases of locally acquired dengue were identified in and . Almost all reported dengue cases in LA County have involved travel to a country where dengue is commonly spread." So far this year, 82 cases have been reported in LA County by people returning from traveling abroad, health officials said.
But the three locally-acquired cases are particularly concerning, they added. "These additional cases of local virus transmission are a stark reminder for all Los Angeles County residents that simple steps to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites can lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and prevent more sustained transmission in the future," health officials stressed in the notice. What can residents do to protect themselves? “Reducing exposure to mosquitoes and t.