AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Public Health has confirmed five cases of Dengue fever here in Travis County this year.
Epidemiologist Heather Cooks-Sinclair said the cases involve Travis County residents who traveled to different parts of the world, including Central America, South America and Asia.
Infected mosquitoes can spread Dengue fever to people by biting them, leading to symptoms of fever, nausea and eye pain.
Cooks-Sinclair gave recommendations for those traveling to minimize their risk.
“Follow the four Ds: avoid being around mosquitoes at dusk and dawn, put on insect repellant that has DEET, don long sleeves and long pants and the last one, drain any water around you to prevent additional mosquito population," Cooks-Sinclair said.
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Statewide, there have been 10 cases. About 5% of dengue fever cases can be severe and life-threatening.
On Thursday, Texas also confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this year. The infected person is from Montgomery County, just north of Houston.
In 2023, Austin Public Health reported six cases of Dengue fever locally.