Infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are the primary insects that spread the dengue virus to people through their bites. These mosquitoes spread other viruses, such as
Zika
and
chikungunya.
Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) Image from CDC
Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) Image from CDC
Infected mosquitoes lay eggs in water containers such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, wading pools, and flowerpots. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person infected with dengue. Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus to other people through bites. Once infected, the mosquito can spread the virus for the rest of its life.
These mosquitoes prefer to bite people and can live indoors or outdoors near people. Mosquitoes that spread dengue, Zika, and chikungunya bite during the day and night.
People cannot become infected through physical contact with a dengue-infected person.
Dengue and Pregnancy
Pregnant women already infected with dengue can pass the virus to their fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. More information about
dengue in pregnancy is available.
Dengue in the United States
Most U.S. cases of dengue occur in travelers returning from abroad, but dengue virus risk is increasing for people living along the Texas-Mexico border and in other parts of the southern United States. More information about
dengue virus in the United States and around the world is available.
Dengue Prevention
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites
The most effective way to
control mosquitoes around the home is to eliminate or treat the water where mosquitoes lay their eggs, and where mosquito larvae live and grow. Reduce mosquito populations around your home by—
- Drilling drainage holes in the bottom of recycling, trash, and other outdoor storage containers.
- Empty and refresh pet water dishes, water troughs, and birdbaths at least once per week.
- Empty child and pet swimming pools after use.
- Seek out and remove unneeded items that collect water, such as plastic containers, flowerpots, old tires, and any children's toys that collect water.
- Store small boats and kayaks upside down.
- Use pesticides to kill mosquitoes.
Learn more about
mosquito control methods,
Mosquito Trap-N-Kill, and
pesticide use around children.
Minimize time outdoors around dawn and duskMosquitoes bite during the day and night but are most active around dawn and dusk. When outdoors, use
EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients:
- DEET
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the U.S.)
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
- Nootkatone
EPA-registered insect repellents are safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women and
children. Learn about
how to apply DEET properly and
how DEET works to prevent mosquito bites.
Prevent mosquitoes indoors
Prevent mosquitoes indoors by ensuring window and door screens are free from holes and installed properly. If possible, use air-conditioning and ensure air curtains are functioning properly in larger facilities such as loading docks at dining facilities. If air-conditioning and screens are unavailable, sleep under a
insecticide-treated mosquito net.
Learn how to—
Prevention should be the focus of mosquito control methods. Chemical controls such as pesticides should be saved as a last resort. However, when prevention methods fail, you can use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes inside your home.
Use the DoD Insect Repellent System
The
DoD Insect Repellent System is a safe and effective method to reduce insect diseases and annoyance. The system incorporates four elements to ensure safe and effective protection against disease-carrying insects:
- A properly worn uniform.
- DoD-approved insect repellent on exposed skin.
- Insect repellent on the uniform.
- Use of permethrin-treated bed nets, when appropriate.
Select the image for more information on the DoD Insect Repellent System.
Service members can find more information here:
Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants
Lower your risk of getting bit by mosquitoes by covering as much of your body as possible.
Treat clothing with permethrin to repel and kill mosquitoes. Service members should refer to the
DoD Uniform Insect Repellent Treatment Matrix from the
Armed Forces Pest Management Board for guidance on treating uniforms with insect repellent.
Dengue signs and symptoms
Most people who are infected with dengue virus will not experience symptoms. Dengue virus can cause mild to severe symptoms and may require hospitalization. Symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after infection and last 2 to 7 days. Most people will recover from dengue in about a week.
The most common symptom of dengue is
fever with any of the following:
- Aches and pains of the eyes, muscles, joints, or bones
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash
Severe dengue
Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death. Warning signs of severe dengue usually begin 24 to 48 hours after your fever has gone away. Your risk of developing severe dengue increases if you've had dengue in the past.
Severe dengue may also be referred to as
dengue hemorrhagic fever or
dengue shock syndrome.
Seek medical care immediately if you experience—
- Belly pain or tenderness
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Feeling tired, restless, or irritable
- Pale, cold skin
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
- Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
If you think you have dengue, contact your healthcare provider.
Treatment for Dengue
There is no specific medicine to treat dengue. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you think you have dengue. Your healthcare provider will provide you guidance on how to treat the symptoms of dengue. Individuals infected with dengue should be kept away from mosquitoes.
For children at a high risk for infection, a
dengue vaccine is available to reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine is limited to individuals with a laboratory-confirmed history of dengue infection.
Additional Dengue Resources
Dengue Resources for Healthcare Providers
