Local Dengue Case Confirmed in South Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced today that the first locally acquired dengue virus case in Texas was reported in Cameron County, the southernmost county.

As of November 25, 2024, 106 travel-associated dengue cases, including one death, have been reported in Travis (Austin) (14), Dallas (13), and twenty other Texas counties. 

This is the highest annual case count that DSHS has reported since 2002.

Last year, Texas reported 79 travel-related dengue cases and one locally acquired case in Val Verde County.

Most dengue outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to travelers visiting endemic areas, including Mexico. Located south of the Rio Grande River, Mexico has reported over 480,000 dengue cases and 262 related deaths in 2024.

From a prevention perspective, no dengue vaccines are currently unavailable in the U.S.