Dengue fever is characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash. The rash appears 3-4 days after the onset of fever.
Treatment includes supportive therapy such as bed rest, fluids and antipyretics.
At one time Dengue fever was endemic in Texas. Since the 1940s, the illness has been reported only sporadically in Texas and has usually been acquired during travel to other countries. Dengue fever outbreaks in Texas occurred in 1980 with 27 cases in south Texas and again in 1986 with 10 cases, also in south Texas. In 1995 there was a dengue epidemic in Latin American and Caribbean countries and in September of 1995, the first case acquired in Texas occurred in Hidalgo County. Aedes albopictus are the vectors for the virus.