Fifth locally acquired case of dengue reported in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County health officials have reported another case of locally acquired dengue, bringing the tally to five patients in the past two months. 

The Department of Public Health says that the patient, a resident of El Monte, does not appear to have any connection to the other four people who also contracted the illness in Baldwin Park and Panorama City, what officials have called an "unprecedented" occurrence.

Officials say that none of the patients have history of traveling to areas where dengue is endemic.

With this, health officials are again stressing that incidents like this are extremely rare in Southern California areas where dengue has not previously been transmitted by mosquitos. 

Last year, single locally acquired cases were reported in Pasadena and Long Beach. 

"This case further indicates that dengue can spread in our community," said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. "Preventing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding is the best way to stop local transmission of dengue. Mosquitoes thrive in hot weather, increasing the risk of bites and mosquito-borne disease."

Again, residents have been urged to use insect repellent when outdoors and to remove standing water from yards. They say that the water can attract mosquitos and it is typically where they lay eggs. 

Dengue is typically spread when people are bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito, commonly referred to as "ankle biter" mosquitos. Most patients do not exhibit symptoms, which can include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and aches to the eyes, joints or bones. Most symptoms generally only last a week and people recover by the end of two weeks. 

Health officials say that the symptoms of dengue often mirror other viruses and health care providers were urged to be "vigilant for dengue fever in patients with acute febrile illness and test for and report such cases of mosquito-borne diseases."