What to Know About the Dengue Outbreak in the U.S.

So far, dengue has not established a permanent foothold in the continental U.S., says Johansson. There are a few reasons why that might be: large numbers of people in Florida, where Aedes aegypti thrive, stay within air-conditioned spaces when they’re most active, which means chains of transmission tend to be short. 

And the mosquitoes themselves are not particularly adventurous. They tend to stay close to home, within about a 100-meter range, so “it takes people to move the virus around,” says Johansson. If someone who’s infected doesn’t travel, the virus doesn’t either. 

There is no cure for dengue; the only treatments are for symptoms. If you are in an area with mosquitoes that can carry dengue, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites. Keep windows closed or use screens, cover as much of your skin as possible with clothing when outdoors, and use mosquito repellent, says Johansson.