Successful World War II-era campaigns to eradicate dengue has kept the United States free from the mosquito-borne virus for almost forty years but the virus is making a comeback and we have globalization to thank: an increased flow in international travel to and from tropical destinations are causing isolated outbreaks in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida. Just last week, Texan public health officials confirmed 18 cases of dengue in the southernmost tip of Texas and a recently discovered case in Long Island, NY suggesting that the virus, dubbed "breakbone fever" for its excruciating aches and pains, is gaining an unwelcome foothold in the States.
Over 380 cases of imported dengue virus were recorded for the year 2013 as of November 19th. Pink counties indicate positive test findings, whereas yellow counties are indicative of negative test findings. Image: US Geological Survey/Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Eradication of dengue from a region relies upon breaking the circle of transmission from human to mosquito and back to human. This requires killing every single mosquito infected with the virus while also ensuring that any individual infected with dengue is safe from mosquito bites. It can be a difficult and an extraordinarily costly process. Sadly, we are at the point of losing the hard-won achievement of a dengue-free America.
