AL.com The Centers for Disease Control has issued a travel alert about a “higher-than-usual” number of cases of a potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease.
The CDC Level 1 notice mentions 16 countries with cases of dengue, also known as “breakbone fever.” The countries are Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Mail, Mauritania, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa and Vietnam. Travelers to these countries are urged to “practice usual precautions,” but be aware of the rise of cases.
According to the CDC, most dengue cases in the continental U.S. occur in travelers but local spread is possible. Internationally, millions are infected each year by Aedes mosquito bites, and travelers to areas with higher case numbers are at increased risk.