TDH News Release
August 18, 1999
TDH Issues Dengue Fever Precautions
State and local health officials are urging persons in Texas border
counties to take precautions against dengue fever following reports
of the illness in two Webb County residents. The viral illness is
spread by mosquitoes.
One case of dengue fever has been confirmed in a Webb County
resident, and another case is suspected. Health officials have not
determined if the illnesses were contracted in Texas or in Mexico.
Recent cases of dengue fever have been reported in Nuevo Laredo on
the Mexico side of the border.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread to humans by the Aedes
aegypti and the Aedes albopictus mosquito species. Both
species are
plentiful in Texas. Texas Department of Health epidemiologist Julie
Rawlings said the species rarely migrate more than a few hundred feet
from where they were hatched.
She said the best way to reduce the risk of dengue fever is to
eliminate mosquito hatching grounds by emptying sources of standing
water such as old tires, tin cans, barrels, jars, birdbaths and
flower pot bases.
She said the best way to reduce the risk of dengue fever is to
eliminate mosquito hatching grounds by emptying sources of standing
water such as old tires, tin cans, barrels, jars, birdbaths and
flower pot bases.
Dengue fever is usually treated with fever-reducing agents, fluids
and bed rest. Aspirin should not be taken to relieve dengue fever
symptoms. The illness is not usually fatal, but a more severe form
of the illness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, can be life threatening.
Dengue fever is common in Central and South America and in Asia.
Texas is the only state in the United States where locally acquired
dengue has been confirmed in recent years.
Texas recorded one travel-related case of dengue fever in 1998. An
outbreak of dengue fever occurred in Texas in 1995 when 29 cases were
recorded, including seven contracted in the state.
- 30 -
(For more information contact Julie Rawlings, TDH Infectious Disease
Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, at 512-458-7228; or Doug
McBride, TDH Public Information Officer, at 512-458-7524.)
Go to TDH Home Page