PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
562.441.3590
Jennifer.RiceEpstein@longbeach.gov
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has confirmed a case of dengue in a resident who has not traveled outside of the U.S. This is the first case of dengue in Long Beach not related to travel and only the second in California, the first of which was identified earlier this month in Pasadena. The risk of local exposure remains low, and the Health Department is taking steps to prevent further spread of the virus that causes dengue. The person who was infected has recovered at home and no other suspected cases have been identified. The Health Department is carefully monitoring the situation and has educated healthcare providers on the symptoms of dengue.
"The health and well-being of the community is our most important priority,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We are working closely with health officials to do everything we can to prevent more cases. We ask that everyone do their part by removing any standing water on their property to help us control the mosquitoes in our neighborhoods."
Dengue is a disease that is spread by the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites someone with dengue virus in their blood, that mosquito can then spread the virus to others. Most of the time, people with dengue have traveled to a country where the disease is common. Most people who are infected with the dengue virus have no symptoms, but approximately 1 in 4 infected people will experience symptoms that may include:
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High fever
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Rash
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Aches and pains to the eyes, joints or bones
Symptoms of dengue typically last two to seven days and most people recover within two weeks. While some people may experience severe illness, fatalities from dengue are extremely rare. There are no specific medicines for this disease, but health care providers can recommend treatments to aid recovery, including fluids, rest and medication for pain or fever.
The best way to protect oneself from dengue and other diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitos are active during the day and in well-lit areas at night and only need a small amount of water to breed. Long Beach residents are encouraged to take the following precautions to reduce mosquito populations and prevent mosquito bites:
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Use a mosquito repellent with DEET, IR3535, picaridin or products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children younger than 3 years old).
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Wear loosely fitted, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
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Eliminate standing water around clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs, and anything that holds water for over a week; aedes mosquitos can breed in a very small amount of water, including a bottle cap.
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Keep weeds, vines, hedges and grass trimmed; adult mosquitos like to rest in vegetation.
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Change water in pet dishes, birdbaths and other small containers weekly.
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Ensure that swimming pools, spas and ponds are properly maintained.
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Report neglected swimming pools in your neighborhood to the Health Department’s Vector Control Program.
“We are taking many steps to prevent mosquito-borne infections in Long Beach,” said Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis. “Outreach teams are visiting the neighborhood where dengue was identified to provide information on mosquito bite prevention and ways to control mosquito breeding around the home. Health Department staff continue to trap and test mosquitoes in nearby areas to look for infected mosquitoes and are intensifying efforts to reduce breeding and control mosquito populations.”
The Health Department monitors and investigates mosquito-borne illnesses and have enhanced these efforts in response to this case. The Department’s Vector Control team regularly sets traps and tests samples of the mosquitoes found in Long Beach. To date, no mosquitoes collected by the Department have tested positive for dengue. The Department is also coordinating with the California Department of Public Health, Pasadena Health Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and is conducting education and outreach near the area where dengue was identified.
For more information, people are encouraged to visit longbeach.gov/dengue.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Health and Human Services Department is available at longbeach.gov/health.