STUART, Fla. (AP) — Health officials say they've confirmed three cases of dengue fever contracted in central Florida.
Dengue
fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Millions of cases
are reported worldwide each year, but it's rare for anyone to contract
it in the United States.
The Florida
Department of Health says the three patients are residents of Martin and
St. Lucie counties. Officials say the patients acquired dengue from
mosquitoes in Rio, near Jensen Beach. None have traveled internationally
recently.
Officials say St. Lucie County
hasn't had any cases of locally acquired dengue until now. There was
one case in Martin County in 2011.
Dengue
is sometimes called "break bone fever" because of the severe joint pain
it causes in extreme cases. Other symptoms include high fever, severe
headache and a rash.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
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