Dengue Fever Alert: Travel Safely In Mexico And Caribbean During Recent Outbreaks

Over 7,700 people have died from dengue fever in the Americas and the Caribbean in 2024, making the highest toll in over 40 years. This alarming figure underscores the need to implement all necessary measures to ensure a safer trip in 2025.

Most people in northern countries, including the upper United States, may be unfamiliar with this tropical disease. Let’s take a closer look at what it is.

Dengue fever—in some cases, hemorrhagic dengue fever—is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid climates, which explains why the disease is uncommon in northern regions.

Contracting the virus implies you’ll experience flu-like symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, and a particular red skin rash.

In severe cases, the virus causes life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage, a condition known as hemorrhagic dengue fever. This occurs due to damage to blood vessels and a significant decrease in platelets, which impairs clotting and can lead to fatal outcomes.

There are four types of dengue viruses, and—unlike most illnesses—contracting one doesn’t provide immunity against the others. In fact, doctors report that subsequent infections can be more aggressive due to a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

Note that if you catch the virus, there’s no specific medicine to treat you beyond the use of a few selected painkillers. Keep in mind that not all painkillers are safe to use if you have this virus. So, even if your symptoms are mild, talk to a health professional.

There is a vaccine for this disease, but it mostly works in children and individuals who have already contracted the virus in the past. If eligible, you must get your second shot three months after the first one, followed by a third dose three months later. As you can see, getting properly vaccinated requires careful planning.

Countries Affected by Dengue Fever

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most dangerous country to travel to right now due to dengue fever is Brazil, with over 10 million confirmed cases. Argentina ranks second, reporting more than 580,000 cases, while Mexico rounds out the top three with over 500,000 cases.

In the Caribbean region (though geographically located on the South American mainland), Guyana tops the list with more than 41,000 cases, followed by its neighbor French Guiana.

Popular Caribbean islands, including the Dominican Republic and Martinique, are also experiencing significant outbreaks.

Other severely affected countries include Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Nicaragua, Belize, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

In recent years, rising temperatures around the globe have enabled these mosquitoes to thrive in previously unaffected locations like California, Florida and Texas, where cases continue to rise. Not to mention that in late March, Puerto Rico declared an epidemic.

How Can I Protect Myself from Dengue Fever on My Next Trip?

Understanding how dengue spreads is the first step to making informed decisions about personal protection.

Contrary to popular belief, Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in clean water, not in dirty one. 

This becomes an important issue in multiple tropical countries where people need to collect water for daily use in outdoor tanks that often lack proper cover, providing an ideal breeding ground for these mosquitoes.

If you opt for an Airbnb or similar accommodation, take precautions by eliminating stagnant water around the property. Be mindful of potential breeding sites like plant saucers, bottle caps or clogged gutters. Keep in mind that urban areas are especially vulnerable to mosquito reproduction.

To stay safe during your trip to the Americas, follow these recommendations:

1. Apply mosquito repellents to exposed skin and clothing.
2. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long, loose pants, socks, and shoes, especially during dawn and dusk when this particular type of mosquito is more active.
3. If staying in nature, use mosquito nets to protect your bed, particularly if you don’t have air conditioning.
4. Spray indoor and outdoor areas with insecticides to eliminate mosquitoes around your bedroom.