Fourth case of dengue reported in LA County, raising concern of public health officials

Los Angeles County public health officials have reported a fourth locally acquired case of dengue, just a week after releasing information on an "unprecedented" cluster of infections. 

The new case, which affected a Panorama City resident, is unrelated to those previous three infections, which occurred in the Baldwin Park area, officials said. 

Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness but it is not believed that any of the patients have history of travel to areas where it is considered endemic, or regularly occurring. 

Late last year, officials reported single locally acquired cases in Pasadena and Long Beach. 

"These cases of local transmission are extremely rare in L.A. County and residents are urged to take proactive steps to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites," said the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in a statement.

It is usually spread when a person is bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito, otherwise known as the pesky "ankle biter" mosquito.

While most patients never exhibit any of the symptoms of the illness, nearly a quarter of them will develop some signs like fever, nausea vomiting, rash and aches and pains to the eyes, joints and bones, DPH said. Symptoms typically only last for up to a week and full recovery is usually reported after two full weeks. Deaths are extremely rare. 

"We are seeing the local transmission of dengue, which is unprecedented in Los Angeles County. Preventing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding is the best way to stop the ongoing local transmission of dengue," said LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. 

They advise using insect repellant to prevent mosquito bites and removing items from around the house that may hold standing water, where mosquitos typically breed and lay eggs.