Four Caribbean countries on CDC watch level for Dengue outbreak

Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, and Martinique have been placed on CDC’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s watch levels for Dengue Fever.

A number of Caribbean countries have been reporting increased dengue fever cases.

On its April 17 2023 update, the CDC said “Dengue is an ongoing risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It says travelers to areas of risk should protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites”

“The Watch Level One list has 11 countries, of which four are Caribbean. The CDC notes this means these countries are reporting higher than usual numbers of dengue cases and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased risk”

According to the World Health Organisation, Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates. Most people who get dengue won’t have symptoms. But for those that do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash.