Washington travelers heading to balmy vacation spots this winter, beware. State health officials say you could bring back a mosquito-borne virus as an unwelcome souvenir.
Combined cases of dengue fever and chikungunya, two viral illnesses spread by mosquitoes, have risen in the state this year, according to the Department of Health.
The number of cases for 2015 was low — only 37 — but that compares to 23 cases in 2014 and even rarer reports in previous years. The rise worries health officials who are watching worldwide outbreaks of the illnesses closely.
In Hawaii, an outbreak of dengue fever on the Big Island has sickened more than 150 people this year. Chikungunya has been on the rise in Mexico for more than a year. Other popular travel destinations such as the Caribbean and Central and South America also have seen cases explode.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that people heading to Mexico be aware of the potential for infection with chikungunya. Dengue is common throughout the tropics and is a leading cause of illness with fevers in travelers returning from Latin America. Both viruses can cause fever and joint pain and, occasionally, serious complications such as meningitis or encephalitis.
This year, Washington counted 24 chikungunya cases and 13 dengue cases, health officials reported. Six travelers were hospitalized and two developed neuroinvasive disease, a serious complication.
A vaccine for dengue fever could be available as soon as next year, clinical trials indicate. In the meantime, avoiding mosquito bites through protective clothing, sunscreen and measures to keep the bugs out of places like hotel rooms are the only way to prevent infection.
