Locally-acquired Dengue virus in southern California.
Since October 2023, there have been 22 confirmed cases of residents in southern California becoming infected with Dengue virus after being bitten locally by an invasive Aedes mosquito. Eighteen (18) of these cases occurred in 2024 between August and October.
Previously, all documented human cases of infection with this virus in California occurred in residents who traveled out-of-state and were bitten by an infected mosquito. The recent occurrence of residents getting infected locally is extremely concerning.
Fortunately, the Aedes mosquito species that vector Dengue virus currently are not found in Santa Barbara County - although they may show up anytime since they are widespread in southern California and the Central Valley.
Please contact us immediately if you find yourselves being bitten by aggressive mosquitoes during the day - especially if they're biting around your ankles and feet.
More about Dengue:
Statement from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District: Dengue in Baldwin Park and El Monte, CA
Detailed information on Dengue from the California Department of Public Health: Dengue - What You Need to Know
Information from the National Centers for Disease Control: CDC -About Dengue



Map modifed from the California Dept. of Public Health: Invasive Aedes Distribution Map