Dengue Fever Cases Surge Across US States, Health Officials Warn of ‘New Normal’

Sacramento, July 3 — Health officials in the United States are raising alarms as dengue fever cases nearly doubled nationwide over the past year, signaling that the mosquito-borne disease could become a persistent threat in American communities.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3,700 new dengue infections were reported in the contiguous United States last year, up from about 2,050 in 2023. The surge includes 105 locally acquired cases in California, Florida, and Texas — a significant shift from previous years when most infections were linked to international travel.

California has experienced the most dramatic increase. In 2024, the state reported 725 new dengue cases, including 18 acquired locally. This marks a nearly threefold rise from the previous year, when there were about 250 new cases and only two local transmissions.

The disease is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, whose populations have expanded rapidly. These mosquitoes, once absent from California 25 years ago, are now found in 25 counties and more than 400 cities and unincorporated communities, predominantly in Southern California and the Central Valley.

Experts attribute the spread to climate change, which has created favorable conditions for these mosquitoes to thrive in warm urban areas. “Dengue fever has become a ‘new normal’ in the United States,” said Dr. Michael Ben-Aderet, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, emphasizing that the mosquito population is likely to persist.

The CDC issued a health alert in March, warning of the ongoing risk and urging the public to take preventive measures against mosquito bites.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on information available as of July 3, 2025, and is intended for informational purposes only. For the latest public health guidance and official updates, please consult the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or your local health authorities.