Two more cases of locally acquired dengue, a disease transmitted through mosquito bites, have been confirmed in Baldwin Park.
This brings the total number of cases to three, which public health officials warned is “unprecedented” for the region.
Aiman Halai, an epidemiologist with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said at a news conference Wednesday that the threat of these kinds of viruses can change how people go about their day in L.A. County.
“Mosquito-borne disease is a reminder that mosquitoes aren't just an annoyance but can make people sick,” she said.
Officials said, however, that there’s no need to panic. All mosquitoes tested in the San Gabriel Valley have been negative for dengue.
What you need to know
Both people with the latest cases had no history of travel to areas where dengue is common, which means they got it in Southern California.
The disease is transmitted through bites from an infected Aedes mosquito, and it cannot be passed from person to person, public health officials said.
Cases of locally acquired dengue were confirmed in Long Beach and Pasadena last fall, but it’s still considered to be extremely rare for the region.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health is going door-to-door to talk to people living in the immediate area where the cases have been confirmed. They’re also offering free dengue testing to all the households they visit.
“If our public health team visits your home, please allow them to share information with you,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the department. “And help us by responding to a short survey to assess if anyone in the household has symptoms or a recent history of travel.”
What you can do to protect yourself
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and they only need enough to fill a thimble or bottle cap. They also need 5 to 7 days to go from egg to adult.
People are being urged to tip out any standing water around their home at least once a week and toss out any unused containers that could collect it.
But the best way to prevent mosquito bites is to use an effective repellent. Public health officials recommended those containing EPA approved ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
You can find more information about how to protect yourself here or by calling (626) 814-9466.
