Alert Issued After 2nd Dengue Case In Palm Beach Co.

WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) – A second confirmed case of Dengue fever has prompted health officials in Palm Beach County to raise their current threat advisory to an alert.

The second case, an unidentified male who had such severe symptoms he called 911, is expected to fully recover, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald. The first case was a woman who got sick on September 23rd after being bitten by a mosquito.

So far this year, there have been six locally acquired cases across the South Florida region including two in Miami-Dade and one in Martin County.

Dengue is a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes native to the southeastern United States and the tropics.

The symptoms of Dengue fever include: fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit; severe headache; severe pain behind the eyes; muscle, joint and bone pain; rash; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting.

The health department said there are measures to take to guard against this disease. The steps include draining standing water, wearing long sleeve shirts and pants outdoors, avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and cover your doors and windows with screens.

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