Dengue fever and Chikugunya are just two of the illnesses that can be acquired through mosquito bite. And lately, a report shows that the number of these cases in Washington has already doubled compared to last year.
Now that winter is on its full onslaught, vacationers from warm-weathered places and countries have returned to the state. The thing is, they brought something else with them. According to Washington State's Health Department, the number of mosquito-related cases that have been reported this year have risen to 31. Although the number is small, it's still a massive increase from the 23 that were infected last year.
This particular increase worries health officials as it may pave a way for a new trend that they don't want to happen. In Hawaii alone, over 150 people have been afflicted with the dengue fever during its outbreak earlier this year. Mexico, on the other hand, also saw an increase in the number of reports regarding Chikugunya affecting its people. Another wildly popular destinations such as the South Caribbean and South America also experienced a rise in these cases. This year, Washington officials were able to track 23 cases of Chikugunya and 13 cases of dengue, where six travelers were hospitalized and two of them developed neuro-invasive disease, which is an indication of a serious complication in the body.
Dengue is not a common illness for the people of Washington, because it is usually found in tropical places and countries such as those that are present in the continents of South America and Asia. There is still no vaccine or a solution to Chikugunya. Meanwhile, the solution for dengue fever is still being developed and will have an expected release late next year.
That's why the officials of Washington Health Department are warning their residents to be extra careful when traveling. They also reminded them to do early precautions such as wearing protective clothing, sunscreen and bug repellants while they are in foreign areas.
