The dengue virus, which is spread by infected mosquitoes, affects one in four people and causes symptoms that range from a low fever to shock or even death.
American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US are all US territories where dengue is a frequent ailment.
Dengue Threatening US Territories and Mainland States
Virgin Islands and the states that are voluntarily affiliated with one another, such as the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
In the past, outbreaks have happened in various states; the most recent ones were in Florida, Hawaii, and Texas.
The CDC recorded about 31,000 dengue cases in US territory between 2010 and 2020. Puerto Rico accounted for almost 96 percent of these, followed by American Samoa in the United States.
Guam and the Virgin Islands. A little more than half were among those under 20.
According to the researchers, despite obstacles like screening and ensuring that kids receive the full three doses of the vaccine, vaccination in Puerto Rico alone could prevent 3,000 hospitalizations in 10 years, and dengue vaccines in development could benefit a wider age range or people who have never had an infection.
The vaccination in Puerto Rico alone could prevent 3,000 hospitalizations in 10 years, according to the researchers, and dengue vaccines in development could benefit a wider age range or people who have never had an infection, despite challenges like screening and ensuring that children receive the full three doses of the vaccine.
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Genetically Modified Mosquitoes and Innovative Approaches
In a few counties in Florida and Texas, the CDC has approved the use of genetically altered mosquitoes.
Researchers have released mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacterium in other parts of the world, which lessens the spread of dengue and related viruses.
A World Health Organization research project in French Polynesia that sterilizes dead bodies is also being funded in part by the United States.
Dengue transmission might be decreased using vaccines and mosquito manipulation.
According to researchers, improved surveillance systems and physician training have already decreased the number of dengue deaths, thus there is fresh reason for hope in the meantime.
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