CDC updates global travel notice as incurable brain-bleeding virus reaches America
Urgent warnings have been issued for travelers heading to multiple countries over spiraling outbreaks of a mosquito-borne disease that can cause brain bleeds.
The CDC updated its level 1 global travel advisory after detecting unusual upticks in cases of dengue fever across the world.
In particular, the CDC warned of 12 countries where travelers have an increased risk of contracting the illness, warning them to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
The agency said it ‘has identified a higher-than-expected number of dengue cases among US travelers returning from’ Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
Health officials urged travelers to wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and to sleep in air-conditioned rooms or a room with window screens.
The US itself is also seeing an increase in dengue fever cases, including locally acquired cases. There have been 346 travel-associated cases and 73 locally acquired ones in the contiguous US, including 72 in Florida and one in Virginia.
And a CDC report from earlier this year showed there was a 359 percent rise in average annual dengue cases in the US in 2024 compared to the 2010-2023 annual average.
In 2024, the most recent data available in the report, a record 3,798 dengue fever cases were reported, an increase from the average of 828. Among the cases, 97 percent were travel-associated and the remaining three percent – 105 cases – were locally acquired.
Among all the patients, 36 percent were hospitalized and three percent of cases were severe. There were six deaths.
The CDC has issued a travel alert for travelers heading to 12 countries over dengue fever (stock image of the Maldives)
Dengue fever often causes an asymptomatic infection, but in some patients it can trigger life-threatening internal bleeding, respiratory distress and heart failure.
It can also lead to shock and organ failure, especially of the liver, brain and heart.
Patients may also develop dengue shock syndrome, a condition where severe bleeding leads to a rapid drop in blood pressure and causes the body to go into shock.
Children under five, adults over 65 and pregnant women are considered to be most at risk from the virus.
Dengue was virtually eradicated from the US in the 1970s, but sporadic outbreaks have been recorded since, particularly in warmer states, including Florida and California. Most cases recorded in the US are linked to international travel.
A level 1 travel advisory urges Americans to practice usual precautions because of the presence of an outbreak. It is the lowest level travel alert out of the four levels that can be issued. Level four is advice to avoid all travel.
The Americas recorded a major dengue fever outbreak in 2025, with Brazil alone registering nearly 200,000 cases. Today, cases are still above normal, although well below this peak.
Dengue is present in more than 100 countries globally and is a year-round threat to travelers and local people. Outbreaks occur every two to five years.
There have been 346 travel-associated dengue fever cases and 73 locally acquired ones in the contiguous US, including 72 in Florida (pictured above)
Health officials say about 40 to 80 percent of people infected with dengue fever do not develop any symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they appear abruptly about five to seven days after infection.
Warning signs include a fever above 100F (38C), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, bone, joint or muscle pain, and bleeding in the gums.
Some patients also develop redness of the skin on the face within the first 24 to 48 hours of symptoms emerging.
In severe cases, patients may also suffer from severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and lethargy.
There is no specific cure for dengue fever and treatment consists of supportive care and therapies to manage symptoms and complications.
Doctors recommend patients with mild symptoms drink plenty of fluids and take Tylenol to ease pain.
In severe cases, patients may be admitted to the hospital for supportive care, an IV, blood pressure monitoring and a transfusion to replace lost blood.
To protect against dengue fever, there is a three-dose vaccine available, which is recommended for children aged nine to 16 years. It slashes the risk of a symptomatic infection by about 80 percent.
