MIAMI — The third locally transmitted case of dengue fever this year has been confirmed in Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Health announced Friday.
The first case of the mosquito-borne ailment was confirmed in March. The second came earlier this month.
The three cases don’t seem to be related, the health department said in a statement. The department issued a mosquito-borne illness alert Friday after a resident of the county was diagnosed with the virus, which is spread through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The Aedes also spread chikungunya and Zika virus.
Five cases of dengue fever among international travelers have been reported so far this year in Florida. Thirty-one travel-associated cases of Zika fever have been reported this year, but zero local cases, according to health department data.
Most people who are infected with dengue fever experience mild or no symptoms. But those that develop symptoms recover after about a week. Symptoms include muscle, joint or bone pain; nausea and vomiting; or unusual bleeding and bruising. Severe cases can result in shock, internal bleeding and death, according to the health department.
There is no treatment or vaccine for the virus.
