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Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 13, 2024 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT WARNS OF HIGHER 
RISK OF DENGUE VIRUS

 
Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) encourages the community to take 
action in preventing mosquito-borne dengue, after the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory notifying the public about the increased risk of 
dengue virus in the United States. This year, a higher-than-normal number of cases have 
been identified in travelers who visited countries where dengue is found.

 A person can be infected with the dengue virus from an infected Aedes mosquito, a type of 
mosquito that inhabits Pasadena. About one in four persons develop mild or severe dengue 
symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body aches. Symptoms of dengue 
typically last two to seven days and although severe and even life-threatening illness can 
occur, most people recover after about a week. There are no specific medicines or vaccines 
to prevent this disease. Supportive treatment may include monitoring for early signs of 
serious illness, drinking fluids, and resting.

 Risk of exposure to dengue for Pasadena residents remains low. PPHD recommends 
standard precautions for preventing all mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue, and 
urges the community to take simple steps to reduce mosquito populations and lower the 
risk of mosquito-borne diseases including:

Eliminating standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, 
buckets, watering troughs, and anything that holds water for more than a week.

Ensuring that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.

Changing the water in pet dishes, birdbaths, and other small containers weekly.

Reporting neglected swimming pools in your neighborhood to your vector control 
district.

To prevent mosquito bites, PPHD recommends the following to residents and individuals 
traveling internationally to countries that report a higher-than-usual amount of dengue 
cases:

 Wear insect repellent containing CDC and EPA-approved active ingredients: DEET®, 

 picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Wear loosely fitted, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.

In 2023, PPHD announced the first locally-acquired case of dengue in California. After 
an enhanced community investigation, PPHD discovered a second dengue infection in a 
Pasadena resident with no recent travel history. Prior to 2023, all reported cases of dengue 
in Pasadena were acquired while travelling.

 San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District conducts routine mosquito 
control activities in the Pasadena region. 

 To find your local vector district agency and for tips on mosquito prevention and approved 
mosquito repellents, visit: SoCalMosquito.org. Additional information regarding dengue is 
available from the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention at: cdc.gov.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com