CDC Dengue Surveillance and Global Case Counts
The CDC tracks dengue as a nationally notifiable disease and reports cases primarily in travelers returning from endemic areas. In 2024, the CDC recorded a sharp rise in dengue among U.S. travelers, with the highest numbers linked to trips in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The agency updates case counts weekly through ArboNET and publishes travel health notices for affected countries. For current outbreak maps, see the CDC dengue surveillance page.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates tens of millions of dengue infections occur each year, and the CDC aligns its guidance with WHO and local health ministries. In 2024, several countries reported record-breaking case numbers, including Brazil, Peru, and Bangladesh, which strained health systems and increased the risk for imported cases in the United States. The CDC uses these data to update risk levels and recommend clinician awareness.
Dengue Symptoms, Diagnosis, and CDC Clinical Guidance
CDC describes dengue symptoms as sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding, with onset typically four to ten days after an infected mosquito bite. Severe dengue, previously called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause plasma leakage, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, and organ impairment, and the CDC lists warning signs such as persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and mucosal bleeding.
Diagnosis relies on NS1 antigen tests, IgM and IgG serology, and RT-PCR, and the CDC provides laboratory guidance on specimen type, timing, and handling to reduce false results. Clinicians can use the CDC's diagnostic algorithms and case definitions to distinguish dengue from chikungunya, Zika, and malaria, and the agency recommends reporting confirmed and probable cases to state and territorial health departments.
Prevention, Travel Advice, and CDC Resources
The CDC advises travelers to use EPA-registered repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, stay in air-conditioned or screened-in rooms, and avoid peak mosquito biting times to reduce dengue risk. The agency issues destination-specific travel notices and posts up-to-date guidance for healthcare providers on its travelers' health site, which includes country-level risk summaries and vaccine recommendations where applicable.
For U.S. residents, the CDC focuses on preventing local transmission by supporting mosquito control programs, promoting community source reduction, and coordinating with state and local health departments. The CDC also collaborates with international partners and companies developing dengue vaccines and vector-control tools, and provides open-access resources for clinicians and public health professionals to support rapid outbreak response.