Dengue Fever Makes Its Way to L.A. Amid Rising Climate Concerns
Los Angeles County is witnessing a new public health challenge: dengue fever cases acquired locally. This fall, eight residents in Baldwin Park, Panorama City, and El Monte tested positive for dengue—making it the region's first significant local transmission. Previously seen only in travelers returning from tropical regions, dengue is now spreading within Southern California, highlighting the changing impact of climate and environment.
The culprit is Aedes aegypti, an invasive mosquito species that first entered the region in the early 2010s. These mosquitoes thrive in small pools of water and have adapted to California's milder winters and prolonged mosquito season, making local transmission possible.
Why It’s Happening:
- Climate Change: Warmer winters extend mosquito breeding seasons, expanding the potential for dengue transmission.
- Local Conditions: Residents inadvertently create mosquito habitats by leaving stagnant water in gardens, trash lids, and even bottle caps.
- Aggressive Behavior: Unlike native Culex mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes are highly aggressive, biting multiple people in quick succession and increasing disease spread.
Public health officials emphasize that while this isn’t a major outbreak, it's a wake-up call. "There’s probably more dengue out there than we know,” says Kim Shriner, Huntington Health's Medical Director of Infection Prevention. The risk of dengue remains low as winter approaches, but experts are preparing for more cases in the coming years as temperatures rise.
How You Can Help Prevent Dengue
- Dump Standing Water: Eliminate water sources like plant saucers, trash lids, and clogged drains where mosquitoes breed.
- Protect Yourself: Wear insect repellent, long sleeves, and pants to avoid bites.
- Fix Screens: Ensure window and door screens are intact to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
By taking preventive measures, we can collectively limit the spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases in Southern California. For more tips and updates, visit SoCalMosquito.org.
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