CDC points world journey alert for doubtlessly life-threatening illness

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a global travel alert for dengue, warning that vacationers returning to the U.S. are testing optimistic for mosquito-borne sickness.

The advisory was issued on Monday and is classed as a “Level 1” discover, which is the bottom degree, urging vacationers to “practice usual precautions.”

Dengue — also called “dengue fever” or “breakbone fever” — is unfold by means of the chunk of an contaminated mosquito. Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint ache, rash, and minor bleeding are among the many signs.

In some circumstances, it may be lethal, with signs reminiscent of hemorrhaging or uncontrolled bleeding, significantly low blood strain, and organ failure.

“Although dengue is sometimes known as ‘break-bone fever’ because of the severe body aches it can cause, most people who get infected with the dengue virus have no symptoms or only mild illness,” the CDC said.

“Most people who do have dengue symptoms recover within a week,” the agency added. “However, dengue can also be severe and life-threatening, especially in children, older people, and people with underlying health conditions.”

Health officers mentioned dengue is a year-round threat in lots of elements of the world, with some nations presently “reporting higher than usual numbers of cases” or elevated infections amongst U.S. vacationers returning residence.

The CDC recognized a number of nations the place the chance is elevated, together with the next:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bolivia
• Colombia
• Cook Islands
• Cuba
• Guyana
• Maldives
• Mali
• Mauritania
• New Caledonia
• Pakistan
• Samoa
• Sudan
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam

There have been greater than 525 circumstances within the U.S. thus far in 2026, the CDC said.

To scale back the chance of an infection, the CDC beneficial that vacationers use insect repellent, put on lengthy sleeves and pants, and keep in locations with air con or window screens to keep away from mosquito publicity.

Dengue is widespread globally, with almost half of the world’s inhabitants residing in areas the place the illness is current, in line with the CDC.

Officials emphasised that the advisory doesn’t name for canceling journey plans, however serves as a reminder to take precautions, notably when visiting tropical and subtropical areas the place outbreaks happen periodically.