Dengue Fever: A Border Threat Without a Safety Net?

Abstract

In 2010, Puerto Rico experienced the worst outbreak of dengue fever in the history of the United States. With over 21,000 reported cases, and likely twice as many unreported, this outbreak put scientists and researchers on notice of a growing problem coming north from the tropics. Similarly, Hawaii (2001), Florida (2009–2010), and Texas (2005) all experienced outbreaks of dengue fever in the 21st century. The question posed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) became: how did these regions manage the outbreaks while continuing to maintain community control over a disease that is not carried by humans, but carried through a specific mosquito vector? Texas, specifically, is posed with the difficult dilemma of controlling the spread of dengue-infected mosquitos, as well as the threat of dengue-infected humans attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. Cities like Brownsville, which have experienced the worst of the recent dengue outbreaks, are considering dengue prevention a top priority and are adjusting the spread of helpful prevention techniques throughout their locale. Through the examination of this disease and control mechanisms set in place by local,