First Locally-Acquired Case Of Dengue Reported

MIAMI (CBS4) -- The first locally-acquired case of Dengue Fever has been confirmed in Miami-Dade County. Health officials say the disease is a cause for concern in South Florida. The disease is typically transmitted by mosquitoes and is rare in the continental United States.

However, the virus is an epidemic in Puerto Rico and some popular Latin American and Southeast Asia tourist destinations.

It is carried by a specific type of mosquito that is common in the tropics and southeastern United States and cannot be spread person to person.

The Miami-Dade County Health Department said the individual had symptoms of the virus and the labs confirmed the diagnosis. The patient has since fully recovered from the disease and officials would only say that it was an adult male who has no history of traveling outside of the country

Since he has never left the country, the mosquito that infected him must have bitten another infected individual.

"In Miami-Dade county, we now need to consider Dengue as present," said Lillian Rivera from the Miami-Dade Health Department.

Dengue fever symptoms include: fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headache and pain behind the eyes, rash, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and muscle, bone and joint pain. There is no specific medicine or vaccine for the virus and it can range from mild to deadly.

"You need to go into your yard and check any container, any vessel that can hold as little as a teaspoon of water. And you need to eliminate it," said Sandra Fisher of Miami-Dade Mosquito Control.

The Miami-Dade County Health Department gave tips on how to avoid being bitten including:
• Avoid staying outdoors for a long period of time when mosquitoes are most active – at dusk and dawn
• Dress in long pants and longs sleeves
• Use repellents such as DEET that contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus – follow the manufacturer's directions for apply the repellent
• Check drainage around your home and eliminate any standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs
• Either keep windows closed or make sure they are sealed completely by screens that are in good condition

CBS4.com Intern Lindsay Oliver contributed to this story