Breakbone fever goes global as mosquitoes push into new lands

Dengue fever is spreading worldwide as the Aedes mosquito expands into new regions, with the World Health Organization noting a surge in cases (over 14 million in 2024 across about 100 countries, a 2,600% rise since 2000). Most infections are mild or asymptomatic, but about 1 in 20 can progress to severe dengue, a potentially life‑threatening condition that requires prompt medical care. Warmer temperatures, urban growth, and global travel fuel transmission, including locally acquired cases in the U.S. such as Florida. Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating standing water; there is a vaccine but it’s not for general travelers, so protection and early treatment remain crucial.