{
  "id": 19732559,
  "title": "What to know about dengue fever as Florida reports more than 500 cases this year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/what-to-know-about-dengue-fever-as-florida-reports-more-than-500",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-13T00:31:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PBS NewsHour Health",
    "slug": "pbs-newshour-health",
    "url": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-to-know-about-dengue-fever-as-florida-reports-more-than-500-cases-this-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Florida has experienced its largest dengue fever outbreak in over a decade, with more than 500 cases reported in 2026. The virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, with no vaccine available for prevention. Symptoms include high fever, headache, nausea, and severe pain in various body parts. Around 1 in 20 cases can develop severe dengue fever, which is life-threatening. Severe symptoms include rapid breathing, blood in stool or vomit, and skin or mucous membrane bleeding. There is no specific cure or treatment, but rest, hydration, and acetaminophen can help manage symptoms. If severe dengue occurs, medical professionals may provide blood transfusions or intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement. Dengue is dangerous because a second infection with a different dengue virus can lead to more severe symptoms than the first infection. The climate and abundant standing water in Florida provide ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, which can lead to rapid multiplication of the virus and substantial outbreaks like the one being experienced this year.",
  "summary": "As Florida navigates its largest dengue outbreak in more than 15 years, it might help to understand how this virus spreads and how to recognize symptoms and protect yourself.",
  "key_points": [
    "Florida reports over 500 dengue fever cases in 2026, largest outbreak in over a decade",
    "Dengue virus transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, no available vaccine",
    "Severe dengue can be life-threatening with symptoms like rapid breathing and bleeding"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in cases highlights how Florida's climate and standing water create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes to drive the largest dengue outbreak the state has seen in over a decade.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}