CDC Issues Level 1 Dengue Travel Alert for 16 Countries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 1 "Practice Usual Precautions" alert for dengue fever in 16 countries, warning that multiple destinations popular with Americans, including the Maldives and the Cook Islands, are reporting increased case numbers. Published Monday as U.S. spring break travel peaks, the advisory notes that dengue is a year‑round risk in many tropical and subtropical regions, with outbreaks typically occurring every two to five years. The CDC outlines common symptoms — such as fever, severe aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and rash — and stresses that about 1 in 20 infections can progress to severe dengue, which can cause internal bleeding and be fatal. There is no specific antiviral treatment, but the agency recommends rest, acetaminophen for pain and fever, aggressive hydration, and prompt medical evaluation if symptoms develop within two weeks of a mosquito bite or return from an affected region. Travelers are urged to use DEET or picaridin-based repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed, and continue bite‑prevention measures for three weeks after returning to avoid further spread.